Client: Network Rail
Architect: Stanton Williams
Contractor: J. Murphy & Sons Ltd and Szerelmey Ltd

The extensively modernised area around King’s Cross officially opened on Thursday 26th September 2013 by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who also laid one of the final paving stones on the new King’s Cross Square. In April 2010, Stanton Williams Architects were announced as the winners of a Network Rail competition for the design of a new 7000m² square to the front of King’s Cross Station, as part of the King’s Cross Redevelopment Programme. Sir David Higgins, Network Rail’s chief executive, joined the mayor to congratulate teams hard at work on the final touches to the project. 

Hardscape supplied hard landscaping materials including Crystal Black granite and SPI granite paving, Royal White granite kerbs, Crystal Black granite to claddings and copings to rotunda, structures, vents and bespoke benches. The creation of a new King’s Cross Square presents one of the most exciting urban challenges facing London today and its’ completion brings a grandness and old-world charm to one of Europe’s city-centre railway stations back to the heart of the capital. 

King’s Cross Square CPD and site tour

An estimated 150,000 people a day go through Kings Cross Station and on Monday 27th March 2017, Hardscape, together with Landscape architects’ Stanton Williams, had the opportunity to share their involvement of the design and materials supply of the entrance plaza to the station at a Landscape Institute CPD event at Friends House, Euston Road, London. 

The event was attended by many professionals in the landscape design fraternityHardscape were proud to present their participation in a formal and friendly presentation, followed by a walking tour around the famous landmark highlighting the specific materials supplied in paving, benches and the plinths within the two rotunda’s at the front of the station. 

An introduction to the scheme and the guided walking tour of the area provided: 

  • An insight into the thinking behind the design of the square 
  • An understanding of the reasons behind the selection of specific materials for the paving including Crystal Black and SPI granite 
  • Exclusive insights into the creative processes behind the bespoke benches 
  • Examples of how complex logistical and technical requirements were overcome with innovative solutions 
  • Best practice tips for paving materials and solutions for modern public realm schemes