HOME TO GOOGLE, EUROSTAR, FABULOUS RENOVATIONS, CAFÉ CULTURE AND PLATFORM 9 3⁄4, KING’S CROSS IS GOING PLACES
In King’s Cross the energy is palpable. “Since its rejuvenation, the area has established itself as an exciting hub for a variety of demographics. House hunters and tenants alike are drawn to its new developments and lifestyle offerings, while big corporations such as Google favour King’s Cross for its national and international travel connections,” says Emlyn Parks, sales director at Chestertons.
First Impressions
There’s the £3bn regeneration of Coal Drops Yard, the ten new public parks and squares, and pedestrianised areas lined with bars and restaurant. “King’s Cross has undergone a complete transformation and is now one of the world’s most successful redevelopments,” says Michael Keating, of Dexters.
“This once industrial hub wears its history through a host of property styles, from the Grade I-listed apartments of St. Pancras Chambers to the townhouses in the Hand Axe Yard conservation area.“ Huge corporate brands such as Google, Meta, Sony and Nike have bases there, leading to a high demand for homes.
“Property prices have increased steadily, with the average asking price for a flat starting at around £650,000 while larger properties and terraced homes can easily exceed the £2m mark. Tenants, on the other hand, will find one- bed apartments from £2,000pcm upwards,” says Parks.
Transport links are second to none, with six Tube lines and Eurostar to whisk you to Paris. The City is a walk away, making the area attractive to professionals. “King’s Cross also draws in a lot of domestic and international Central Saint Martin’s College and UCL students,” says Sarah Curtis, of Savills. “There’s always something going on which creates a buzz, especially of a weekend or evening.”
A day in King’s Cross
9 AM
Canalside chilling
Start your day with a brisk or leisurely walk along Regent’s Canal, which runs through the heart of King’s Cross. Pass by the Granary Steps, where you can picnic or simply watch the boats go by. Cross the bridge to Camley Street Natural Park, a hidden oasis where inhabitants include mallards, stag beetles, kingfishers and more.
11 AM
Read the room
Synonymous with Harry Potter’s platform 9 3⁄4, King’s Cross is a reader’s paradise. Founded 50 years ago, The British Library on Euston Road houses more than 170-million items, from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook to Jane Austen’s manuscripts.
1PM
Jazz brunch
Transport yourself to a bygone era of Art Deco decadence at St Pancras Searcys . Several menus are available, with the latest addition being the Sunday Brunch Feast, an unlimited culinary experience featuring live jazz musicians. Cheese stations, roasts, premium seafood, champagne and more await diners.
3PM
Shop till you drop
With trading roots since the Roman era, Coal Drops Yard on Stable Street is your one-stop shopping destination here. For green wellbeing, head to the Botanical Boys where plants, homeware and masterclasses await, or Blomma Beauty for eco products and treatments. At Wolf & Badger you’ll find a range of indie designers across fashion and interiors.
5PM
See the light
On Cubitt Square, adjacent to Coal Drops Yard, the Lightroom has been one
of London’s most exciting cultural openings this year. The collaborative programme with revered British artist David Hockney is open until 3 December. The large-scale work invites visitors to experience the world through Hockney’s eyes.
Ask a local: Niko Dafkos, co-founder of Earl of the East
”King’s Cross has to be one the best destinations in London for shopping, dining and hanging out.
There’s always so much going on in the neighbourhood, from free music festivals, cinema screenings and art exhibitions to our own weekly candle making workshops at our Coal Drops Yard store.
There’s a really creative atmosphere, which is elevated by the other independent brands here, making it the perfect shopping destination.
Lunch breaks are best spent eating at one of the brilliant food vendors, walking along the canal or in one of the hidden gardens – it’s so peaceful it’s hard to believe you’re in the middle of London!”
Food & Drink
WILD AT THE CROSS
2-4 Wharfdale Road
Offering a carefully curated Mediterranean menu, Wild is on the first floor of the iconic London nightclub The Cross. The building has since been reinvented as a six-storey destination for dining and dancing. Dishes include croquetas bravas, delectable roast hipsi cabbage and spring Suffolk lamb cutlets, finished with smoked aubergines, pine nuts, tashkin mint, and rose harissa.
BOOKING OFFICE 1869
Euston Road
Within the enchanting St Pancras Renaissance hotel, Booking Office’s old- world charm is where Paris and London meet. The redesigned booking office by Parisian architect and designer, Hugo Toro is characterised by its high-ceilings, with warming woods and atmospheric lights. Whether guests wish to opt for a Sunday roast, all-day menu or even a drink at the bar, they’ll be swept up in continental glamour.
GERMAN GYMNASIUM
1 King’s Boulevard
The premium spot for German cuisine, German Gymnasium is divided into three parts. The Grand café, the upstairs restaurant where more niche German dishes can be found, and the Meister Bar for sophisticated cocktails. The grade II listed building dates back to 1865, and was even host to London’s first indoor Olympic games.
DECIMO
10 Argyle Street
The debut London restaurant for Michelin- starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, merges the Spanish cuisine of his family with his love of Mexico. Packed with flavour, diners can expect dishes such as aguachile and a Decimo tortilla with caviar. On the tenth floor of The Standard, the decor contrasts with the hotel’s brutalist exterior. decimo.london
RAILS
Pancras Road
At the Great Northern Hotel, Rails offers cuisine with a certain je ne sais quoi. Choose from dishes such as moules à la Provençale, pan-fried duck à l’orange or pistachio crème brûlée to satisfy any cravings. Diners are further transported with a soundtrack of recognisable songs sung in French, which could tempt some to book a trip to Paris.
Schools
Taking a holistic approach to education, The Gower School is composed of Gower Montessori (0-5 years) and Gower Primary School. Pupils can find a range of activities from French to coding and yoga. Behind the beautiful, listed buildings Abercorn School was founded in 1987 on Abercorn Place and Paddington Street, and Paddington Street, and nurtures learning from nursery to Year 11.
Nearby on Portland Place and Harley Street, Queen’s College Prep and Senior school counts Dame Anna Wintour among its notable alumnae. Also in the Marylebone neighbourhood, the rewarding curriculum at Wetherby Senior for boys, sees leavers heading to top universities worldwide.
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School named after the first woman to gain a medical qualification in the UK, is near King’s Cross station. Along the Thames, alma mater of Daniel Radcliffe, the City of London School uses its central location as one of its strengths.
KING’S CROSS: ON THE MARKET
ASK AN AGENT: SEBASTIAN TOY, SALES MANAGER, KNIGHT FRANK’S.
“The buzz around King’s Cross is electric, with its regeneration having a profound impact on sentiment to invest in the area. There are a multitude of amenities to enjoy, whether it be visiting the boutiques, dining at one of the many restaurants, or jumping on the Eurostar for lunch in Paris – which truly emphasises the connectivity that King’s Cross offers.
With a range of architectural styles present in the area, there’s been a drive for modern developments in recent years. However, there are still some lovely pockets of period properties, not forgetting the iconic St Pancras Chambers, George Gilbert Scott’s gothic Grade I-listed masterpiece.
The market has been challenging this year but in some cases we’ve achieved record prices, demonstrating that buyers are will pay a premium for the right property.”
ST PANCRAS CHAMBERS
Set over two floors within the Grade I-listed former Midland Grand Hotel, this spectacular two-bedroom apartment comes with Victorian gothic features, open-plan living and upper deck spaces for both bedrooms – ideal for home-working. Guide price £3.55m Agent: savills.com
HAND AXE YARD
Within a popular new development with concierge service and access to an on-site gym, this three-bedroom townhouse sits at the heart of the area’s social scene. £1.6m Agent: dexters.com
LEWIS CUBITT SQUARE
This one-bedroom apartment in the Grade II-listed Gasholders development benefits from concierge service, access to communal roof gardens and a residents’ spa. £1m Agent: knightfrank.com
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