As all fans of JK Rowling’s hit series know, King’s Cross is where students from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry catch the Hogwarts Express as they rush through a brick wall onto the platform. 9 ¾ every September 1 at 11 a.m. sharp.
Today, May 6 at 9.30 p.m. sharp, I too arrived at the station – not to seek out the elusive platform, but to begin to experience another kind of magic, the regeneration of King’s Cross – one of the most largest and most successful in London. The magic here has been the transformation of what was an underused industrial site into a rejuvenated oasis of new streets, squares, parks, homes, shops, offices, galleries, bars, restaurants and even a university. From this London backwater, a whole community was conjured up taking what was very ordinary and turning it into extraordinary. The emphasis here is on individuality; a place where people and the planet can thrive together; where collaboration and the needs of the new community are at the forefront of planners’ concerns and where there are ambitious environmental and social goals. “Appare Vestigium”, as Harry would say.
The Regent Canal
Away from the hustle and bustle of King’s Cross commuters, I head for the Regent’s Canal Bridge which will take me to Granary Square, the main hub of the redeveloped site. I stop on the bridge to observe the barges and river boats lined up along the banks and remind myself of the industrial and technical past that was once the mainstay of this region.
The Regent’s Canal at King’s Cross
I look for Thomas Shelby on the towpath as I marvel at the three industrial gasometers (built in 1860, dismantled in the 1990s) which are reborn today as the iron enclosures of modern apartments. Situated at three different heights echoing the dynamic movement of gas tanks in the past, old and new go hand in hand here and it is refreshing to see a development where so much attention has been paid not only to streets and spaces but to the buildings that surround them. Granary Square The large open space of Granary Square greets you with a towering former factory conversion that houses Central St Martin’s Art College. Here in the square you’ll find various outdoor art exhibits – through May 28 Travel Photographer of the Year – around three large rectangular ground-level fountains that spout water at varying heights at different speeds at different times. Sitting on KX seats made from durable, weather-resistant recycled paper, you can watch families and children squeal with joy as they step on the fountains when the water rises only two inches. and being surprised when the water bursts at a height of two meters while they are trapped in the middle. The cries of joy fit here in this relaxing and family part of the square. Once in the square there are lively cafes and restaurants and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Tables and chairs have been arranged under an avenue of trees for those who do not wish to eat in a restaurant but rather watch the world and enjoy their own picnics. In this very clever way, everyone is taken care of.
Lower Stable Street
Wildcard character
What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, of course. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. – Kurt Vonnegut …and that’s exactly the philosophy of the coffee entrepreneurs who created this large Wildcard space in front of St Martin’s in Granary Square. Here, the idea of a community able to talk, make friends, and enjoy new and old company amidst the aroma of the coffee bean set the agenda. Original coffee with finely roasted beans is central to what they do here, and coffee lovers can opt for a tasting “flight” of coffee served three ways to enjoy new flavors and discover new favorites. .
There’s a steady stream of customers when I’m there, some finding a seat under the big black umbrellas to meet friends and out of the sun, and some just needing a coffee to go.
They serve food – but there is no menu. ‘It depends on the day’, we are told ‘….what our suppliers are cooking on the day you are here.’ Their vendors – we had cheese and spinach toast and the most delicious aromatic fruit cake – are from the community. ‘ One lost her job during the lockdown and started cooking at home. Another had to close his restaurant, so now he also cooks from home and delivers locally. Coffee at its best. Community at its best. This was a great start to my Coal Drops Yard journey. As a nation, we long for things of the past, especially when it comes to the red brick buildings that showcase our industrial heritage. Here, the red brick buildings that used to store coal and barge goods now store an assortment…
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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-29 04:00:00
