/london

One of London’s largest and most high-profile developments. Argent, as developers and asset managers for the site, have developed the site according to their ‘Principles for a Human City’ which place emphasis on ‘long-term stewardship, high quality, inclusive design, accessible public realm, diversity, and engagement’. Implementing these principles has delivered an overall ‘sense of place’ at Kings Cross and sought to create the conditions to optimize long term social impact.

Now in its 11th year of development, Kings Cross has become a thriving residential and commercial hub, visited by over 7 million people per year. Central to the place making effort has been the delivery of over 70,000m2 of public realm, which provides space for a diverse range of uses, from major events, to community group meet-ups, to art installations and creative and cultural meanwhile uses. Argent’s work with charity groups such as Global Generation has facilitated initiatives that activate the site and provide opportunities for social connection and community building.

Additionally, funding has been utilized by Camden Council to deliver a Construction Skills College that trains local people in construction skills and provides pathways to employment on the construction sites within the development. Kings Cross is one of ten inner London ‘Opportunity Areas’ identified in the London Plan in 2004. Kings Cross has outperformed other Opportunity Areas (OA’s) against a number of metrics, strongly contributing to London’s growth. Consequently, Kings Cross is often celebrated as one of London’s regeneration success stories. The Kings Cross site is in the heart of the ‘Knowledge Quarter’ the name given to the area within a one-mile radius of King’s Cross. It is home to a cluster of +85 organizations spanning research, higher education, science, art, culture and media.