King's Cross Redevelopment

King's Cross improvements
New public square opens August 2013
On schedule

At King's Cross, we've harmoniously fused the latest technology and design to a beautiful Victorian structure to create a transport hub that is ready to accommodate the unprecedented numbers taking to the railways.

The bright, spacious new concourse - the largest single-span structure in Europe - has food and retail outlets to rival those at St Pancras next door. It opened in March 2012, in time to welcome the world for the Olympics.

The refurbishment of the main train sheds is nearly complete and the final phase of the project, ending late 2013, will see the canopy stripped away and a new public square created.
A new public square
For the final phase we're removing the front canopy and creating a new 7,000m² square, bringing something of the grandness and old-world charm of Europe’s city-centre railway stations to the heart of the capital. The square will open to the public in August 2013.
Transforming the local environment
The redevelopment has been a catalyst for one of the largest regeneration schemes in Europe, with 67 acres of brown-field land being redeveloped to create eight million sq ft of offices, retail and housing. In 2011 Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design moved into renovated railway buildings to the north of the station.

Restoring the station
The Grade 1 listed building, designed by Lewis Cubitt in 1852, is being restored in partnership with English Heritage: the facade will be revealed for the first time in 150 years and original features have been retained to safeguard the architectural integrity of the station.
A green station
Solar panels have been added to the renovated train sheds at the apex of the lanterns to minimise visual impact. They will cover 2,500m² and generate 10% of the station’s energy requirements. A rainwater recycling scheme already provides up to a third of the water used by the Eastern Range.

The story so far
Since work started in 2007, we’ve added a new platform, built the new concourse, restored the Eastern Range, which runs the length of the station, and replaced the historic Handyside bridge with an accessible footbridge. To date, not a single train has been cancelled due to the work.
Ready for London 2012
When London won the Olympic Games in 2005, planning for the redevelopment was already underway. We re-drew our timeline to make sure ensure the new concourse would be ready for London 2012; it opened on 19 March, four months ahead of the Games.
Image gallery

Computer generated image of the new square

CGI showing the restored facade and new square

CGI showing the new King's Cross square at night

Where the new square will be - view of the canopy from Pentonville Road

Passengers on the new concourse

View along the mezzanine

Passengers on the mezzanine walkway

Lit up for the opening event

The concourse roof, aerial view

The new roof under construction

View along the footbridge

The refurbished train shed roof seen from the foot bridge

View of the restored roof with solar panels at the apex of the lanterns.

The train shed roof - before renovation

Train shed roof with solar panels mid-restoration

Aerial view of the new concourse roof, facing south

Fish-eye view of the new councourse

Finishing the roof of the western concourse

Men at work on the roof of the new concourse

Artists impression of the completed restored roof
London projects
In progress
Access for All
Crossrail
Extending the East London line
Improving the North London line
King's Cross
London 2012
London Blackfriars
London Bridge redevelopment
Paddington
Railway Communications System (RCS)
Thameslink Programme
The new Farringdon station
Waterloo station balcony
Complete
Future plans
Electrification