King's Cross Railway Station

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If you're a Harry Potter fan, you're probably only interested in taking the Hogwarts Express from platform 9¾. However there is something much more exciting going on at King's Cross station today. The 150 year old structure has just had its new roof unveiled, and it is a fascinating juxtaposition of Victorian and postmodern architecture.





Modern railway termini often resemble airports these days, but the King's Cross architects have accomplished an amalgamation of nineteenth-century brickwork and twenty-first-century features. The new roof is a central funnel column that opens out into a domed lattice roof made from 1200 glass panels. Like many new London buildings in the City, the old and new work perfectly together, proving that modern design doesn't have to be an eyesore. The station is now a combination of the modern and the old, somewhere to enjoy a drink, have something to eat, buy a book, or even to catch a train.



You can even see an exhibition of photographs depicting the station's transformation, including an impression of how the station will look next year. King's Cross is currently a combination of station and art gallery.



I hope the Prince of Wales approves of the new roof to the station. Next year, after the Olympics have been and gone, a new public square will open on the site of the old concourse and the station's original Victorian frontage will again be revealed.



Whilst nowhere near as impressive as its next door neighbour, St Pancras, King's Cross is now vastly improved and makes other parts of the area seem even shabbier. I had a job tearing myself away, and resisting the urge to jump on a train to somewhere, even to Hogwarts.



#architecture
#cafes
#exhibitions
#food_wine
#free
#historic_houses
#history
#kings_cross
#pubs
#restaurants
%wnlondon