Kings Place

Kings Place is a prominent commercial and cultural centre located in the King's Cross area of London. Opened in 2008, the building houses office space, art galleries, concert halls, and restaurants, serving as a significant hub for music, visual arts, and media. It is the home of major organizations including The Guardian newspaper and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and hosts a diverse year-round programme of concerts, exhibitions, and talks.

History

The development of the site was spearheaded by property developer Peter Millican of Parabola Land Ltd, with construction undertaken by the renowned firm Sir Robert McAlpine. The building officially opened on 1 October 2008, marking a key moment in the regeneration of the wider King's Cross Central development area. Its creation was part of a broader transformation of the former industrial and railway lands north of the Regent's Canal, an area with a history linked to the Great Northern Railway and the London and North Western Railway. The project involved significant engineering work by Ramboll to address the challenges of building near the canal and existing London Underground infrastructure.

Architecture and facilities

Designed by the architectural practice Dixon Jones, the structure is notable for its use of travertine stone and features two main concert venues: Hall One and Hall Two. The building's design incorporates a large atrium and provides direct access to the Regent's Canal, with a public courtyard facing Battlebridge Basin. Its facilities include several art galleries, such as the Pangolin London sculpture gallery, and dining options like the Rotunda Bar and Restaurant. The upper floors provide modern office space, with notable occupiers including the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Cultural programme

Kings Place is renowned for its ambitious and eclectic cultural offerings, managed by its in-house programming team. It hosts the annual London Piano Festival and is the base for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment's residency. The venue presents a wide range of music, from early music performed on period instruments by ensembles like the Academy of Ancient Music to contemporary jazz, folk, and world music. Its visual arts programme features exhibitions from galleries including Kings Place Gallery and collaborations with institutions like the British Museum. A regular series of literary talks and debates often features authors from The Guardian and other media outlets.

Tenants and residents

A major anchor tenant is the media group Guardian Media Group, publisher of The Guardian and The Observer, which consolidated its London offices here in 2008. The building is also the headquarters for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the charitable foundation The Rothschild Foundation. Other significant cultural tenants have included the music charity The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the publishing house Faber and Faber. Commercial tenants span various sectors, with firms in law, finance, and technology complementing the artistic institutions.

Transport and location

Kings Place is situated in the London Borough of Camden, a short walk from both King's Cross railway station and St Pancras railway station, providing national connections via Network Rail and international services via the Eurostar. The area is also served by the King's Cross St. Pancras tube station, a major interchange on the London Underground network for the Victoria line, Northern line, Piccadilly line, Circle line, Hammersmith & City line, and Metropolitan line. Its location adjacent to the Regent's Canal provides pedestrian and cycle routes towards Camden Town and the Islington borough.

Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Camden Category:Concert halls in London Category:Music venues in London