Granary Square, The Granary Building, London N1C: All change at King's Cross

The more modern art I see, the less I understand; much like life itself. But creative art is a crunch reason why London enjoys a new public square. 
  Granary Square in King’s Cross comes with its own fountain powered by 1,080 water jets. It's great fun. Understood, no problem.

  The rescue and careful renovation of the huge Grade II-listed Granary Building. typifies how London can change for the better, the many and not just for the usual few. The huge old Victorian grain depository is now a new home for 5,000 creative students and staff at the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design.

  The Granary Building refreshingly bucks a current London tendency to turn Victorian warehouses and railway stations into prohibitively expensive penthouse flats and luxury hotels.

  Wander around King’s Cross and you’ll see 67 acres of one of London’s once most maligned areas undergoing enormous change. The King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership – the development body – is refurbishing 19 historic buildings and structures, including the landmark, listed Gasholders.

  The Partnership also promises “over 40% of this development will be public realm”. Let’s hope enjoyment of one of the city’s newest postcode areas – London N1C – isn't  spoilt by twitchy and tetchy security guards and omnipresent CCTV. 

  So, you’ve already marvelled at the fabulous marriage of conservation and modern architecture at King’s Cross station's Western Concourse. Well, whilst waiting for your train, walk five minutes along King’s Boulevard and gander at Granary Square.

Venture inside the Granary Building too. 

Grain for the brain.

Fun for the heart too.

Photos: Copyright Paul Coleman, London Intelligence, 2012.

Paul Coleman, London, June 2012