A major new shopping district and public space in King’s Cross is set to open to the public on Friday 26 October 2018. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, his studio has overseen the transformation of two dilapidated heritage rail buildings into a lively retail precinct. 

King's Cross, a former rail hub, has undergone an astonishing renewal in recent years as warehouse clubs have been replaced by wine bars and bistros. Heatherwick's Coal Drops Yard is the newest addition to the neighborhood that has recently welcomed Facebook, and will soon take in the impending Google headquarters, also designed by Heatherwick Studio in collaboration with BIG. 

Heatherwick and his team, however, are long term residents of the area. His studio has been based in King's Cross for over seventeen years giving the British starchitect a privileged degree of architectural sensitivity to oversee the spatial design. "We believed there was an opportunity to celebrate the heritage of the existing structures rather than destroy them" he said.

On site, the elongated Victorian coal drops—which first served as infrastructure, then warehousing and offices, and once, as a stage for Prince in 1993—have been ordered by Heatherwick to remain. Instead, Heatherwick has chosen to put his spin on the building by extending the historic gabled roofs upwards. Rising and stretching towards one another until they meet, the flowing roofs connect the two main blocks with an entirely new upper story, a large covered outdoor space and a central focus for the entire site.

When opened, the development hopes to champion a new kind of mall culture; off the radar artisanal businesses and progressive brands will greet visitors alongside iconic brands and restaurants helmed by all-star chefs. "As the opening approaches, we’re all looking forward to seeing how Coal Drops Yard can not only serve as an unusual place for shopping and eating but also become a destination in its own right" said Heatherwick. "A special new space that the public can make their own."