Posted 13th November 2012 | 10 Comments

Goodbye to unloved London rail landmark

The single-storey concourse is being swept away to create a new public square

DEMOLITION has started of an unloved London landmark -- the concourse at the front of King's Cross station. It was built in the 1970s as a 'temporary' structure, and has finally been supplanted by the new western concourse which opened in March.

When it has gone the original frontage of the station, designed by Lewis Cubitt, will be revealed in full as the background to a new public square occupying more than 7,000 square metres.

The square has been designed by architects Stanton Williams and is due to open in the autumn of next year, completing the modernisation of King's Cross.

Network Rail programme manager Matt Tolan said: "We’re finally removing a building that’s almost universally unloved, restoring the station to its full architectural glory and creating a modern station fit for the future that gives passengers and the local community a huge new space to enjoy.

"With the completion of the final phase of King’s Cross station’s redevelopment, we aim to bring a bit of the grandness and old-world charm of Europe’s city-centre railway stations right to the heart of 21st century London."

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • Chris , London

    Did you know you can see some amazing pictures of Kings Cross station over the years on Friends Reunited. I can't send a link, but you see them by visiting Friends Reunited and search 'Kings Cross Station'.

  • Kevin, Cambridge

    Melyvn why are you leaving Kings Cross to get on the underground?
    It's all connected to get you into the underground whether you arrive at Kings Cross or St Pancras through the great new tunnels and walkways.
    You don't need to go through that outside entrance atall unless you are walking to Kings Cross.

  • Pete Dalton, St Albans

    Garth, Are you aware that under the square is the Fleet River, Thameslink, London Underground's sub-surface lines and the rescently enlarged London Underground central ticket office with two banks of escalators to the deep level tubes and subway links to the northern and western ticket office as well as the surface. The continentals may be able to fit an underground shopping centre but "that's not how we do things" because us poor Brits haven't any magical powers to help us.

  • lorentz, London

    Not so much as a 'square', more a jigsaw-shaped plaza ... or is that too European?

  • Phillip, London

    I'm not sure what the "awful frontages" to Charing Cross and Cannon Street are. Charing Cross still has the Charing Cross Hotel on the front, and Cannon Street has been totally rebuilt in steel and glass...

  • Garth Ponsonby, Chippenham

    Of course, if it were anywhere on the continent, they would build an underground shopping centre cum concourse so there wouldn't be any need to get wet! That's not how we do things, though.

  • Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex

    Kings Cross wont seem the same without its distinctive frontage!!

    Pity Boris is not into building a separate lane for buses and cyclists instead of what will no doubt become a windswept oasis with passengers leaving Kings Cross getting soaked heading for the Tube entrance which will no longer be sheltered!!

    And passengers leaving Kings Cross will now appreciate the slum shops and restaurants on the opposite side of the road!!

  • Rob Jenks, Weston-super-Mare

    I'd support the return of the Doric Arch - perhaps it should form part of the planning for HS2 to make Euston look special again.

  • jak jaye, sutton coldfield

    Better late then never,now can we lose those awfull frontages's to Charing Cross and Cannon St? and why are NR pulling down the ol London Bridge train shed(its only been there since the 1840s)

  • Nick, Chester

    What a splendid job.

    It would be good to see the Doric Arch at Euston back as well - that would complete the set nicely.