Wilmotte & Associates at St. Pancras Square

King's Cross Central, a mixed-use development by Wilmotte & Associates is now under construction. Image: Wilmotte & Associates

Construction has begun on King's Cross Central, a 50,000-square-meter (540,000-square-foot) mixed office and retail development adjacent to London's recently renovated St. Pancras and King's Cross railway stations. The London office of Wilmotte & Associates, designed the £80-million-project for BNP Paribas Real Estate UK.

The building is being built on a site bounded by the German Gymnasium and the Stanley Building, in addition to St. Pancras Station. Once complete, the development will comprise 37,500 square meters (404,000 square feet) of office space over ten floors, and 17,500 square meters (188,000 square feet) of retail across the ground and lower ground floors.

The atrium of King's Cross Central. Image: Wilmotte & Associates

An atrium measuring 25 by 13 meters (82 by 43 feet) will occupy the heart of the building, admitting daylight to each of the office levels. Elevators are located in the atrium, and transparent shafts and cars connect riders with the atrium and provide views to the exterior.

Rooftop areas on the eighth and tenth floors are outfitted with wood decks and landscaping for use by the office workers, while an eleventh-floor roof area will provide habitat for birds and insects.

Aerial view, including rooftop spaces. Image: Wilmotte & Associates

The building's main facade is predominantly finished with large areas of glazing that are framed by a structurally indicative combination of terracotta panels and metal components.

An upper-level lobby space. Image: Wilmotte & Associates

Thanks in part to a high-efficiency "turbo core" chiller system, and heating system that uses gas and biomass boilers, along with a combined heat and power (CHP) system, King's Cross Central is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating.

The development is expected to be complete in October 2014.

Exterior ground-level overview. Image: Wilmotte & Associates

Project Credits and Details

• Project Architect: Wilmotte & Associates
• Location: 6 Pancras Square, King's Cross Central, London, England, United Kingdom
• Client: Bnpparibas Real Estate Uk – Developer, On Behalf Of A Private Investor.
• Type Of Project: Office / Retail
• Project Value: £80M
• Associated Architects: Adamson Associates- Executive Architects
• Structural Engineers: Akt
• Quantity Surveyors: Gleeds
• M&E Engineers: Hoare Lea
• Contractors: Vinci Uk
• Interior Designers: Wilmotte & Associates

Building entrance and plaza. Image: Wilmotte & Associates

Office level. Image: Wilmotte & Associates

View of elevator lobby. Image: Wilmotte & Associates