King's Cross Masterplan

Co-masterplanner: Porphyrios Associates Landscape: Townshend Landscape Architects A good masterplan is not so much a vision of a destination than a way of beginning, of managing processes and accommodating the many inevitable changes over time. Unlike a building, an awareness of the level of its success must balance the specialness of being new with a long-term view of normality. Over a two-decade journey, this masterplan has delivered on these qualities. This pioneering masterplan of King’s Cross has redefined city-making. Creating a new piece of central London that supports changing social and economic patterns while offering variety, character, and a sense of belonging. Rather than imposing a new order, it reconnects a previously isolated area, integrating found geometries and industrial heritage into the urban fabric. It encompasses 67 acres, with more than 40% as open space, hosting a rich variety of plant life and areas recognised for their ecological importance. The development features 20 new streets, 10 open spaces, and 20 refurbished historic buildings, alongside modern architecture by 30 firms. Now home to world-renowned art educators, Central Saint Martins, and global tech giants, Google and Meta, it’s become a hub for innovation. With environmental sustainability at its core, King’s Cross features the largest collection of BREEAM Outstanding buildings anywhere, an impressive implementation of retrofit and reuse, and a commitment to achieving net zero carbon by 2035. The masterplan balances long-term vision with adaptability, delivering public-facing, self-contained phases. It integrates schools, housing, cultural institutions, and workplaces, supporting a 50% job growth over five years. Green spaces serve as biodiversity hubs, climate mitigators, and sensory environments, linking into Camden and Islington’s wider networks. Setting a new bar in city-making, King’s Cross has become a global benchmark, inspiring planners and city authorities worldwide. Like any piece of city, King’s Cross will always be in flux, but its enduring legacy will remain.