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Artist’s impression of the planned public space in front of The Granary building in King’s Cross |
New look for Central St Martins
Council approves plan that will see art school move to a university campus in King’s Cross
A HISTORIC building transformed into a new home for one of Europe’s best-known art schools, this is how a new university campus in King’s Cross will look after planning chiefs agreed the designs.
Behind the hustle and bustle of would-be students is The Granary Building, a listed Victorian block which once was at the centre of operations to store and send grain around the country by rail.
It will become the brand new base of Central St Martins College of Art and Design, and a new design college for University of the Arts London.
The block is located in Eastern Goods Yard, part of the railwaylands site behind King’s Cross and St Pancras International stations.
Councillors agreed the plans for The Granary, which had been left empty and described by developers as “isolated”, on Thursday night.
Argent Limited, the company in control of the redevelopment of King’s Cross, will create Granary Square in front of the new arts university, a public space of similar size to Trafalgar Square.
Two new buildings will also go up, including a new theatre hall.
Sir Michael Bichard, rector of University of the Arts London, said: “The relocation of Central St Martins College of Art and Design to a new state-of-the-art home at King’s Cross will help strengthen University of the Arts London’s position as an international leader in art and design education.
“The new refurbished Granary building will provide students and staff with a magnificent landmark building, purpose-designed facilities and a location at the very heart of London.”
The change represents the first detailed design for the overall £2 billion redevelopment of the site – a controversial overhaul which has been condemned by objectors as missing a golden opportunity to be build more affordable homes.
Argent director Robert Evans said: “Securing this consent is a major step for King’s Cross.
“We said from the start this would be a genuine mixed community, not just offices and a few homes, and this decision reflects that.
“With the university right at the heart of the development, we hope it will act as a catalyst for creative industries in the area and compliment some of the other occupiers we are already in discussions with.”
Work on the refurbishment of The Granary is due to begin this summer. |
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