The transformation of King's Cross takes another leap forwards this weekend, with the opening of upmarket shopping destination, Coal Drops Yard on Friday 26 October.
Coal Drops Yard's website proclaims three things its tagline: Stores. Dining. Culture. And it certainly has a lot of each from the offset. Fashion brands like Paul Smith, Cos and Superga all make an appearance. Restaurants including Morty & Bob's, Barrafina and Bodega Rita's are all a boon to King's Cross' culinary credentials.
And finally there's culture. Well isn't everything technically culture? Maybe they're talking about Samsung? We're not sure.
As the name suggests, this location was home to Victorian coal drops — elevated railway track, from which coal could be dropped directly through the rails into containers below. Coal came from the north of England on the trains, and was then redistributed around London by barge and cart. In the 20th century, coal use started to decline, which led to most coal drops becoming derelict. King's Cross' became a glass warehouse, and then a host for raves, but neither lasted. Now it's been reimagined, by King's Cross locals Heatherwick Studios.
Interested by Coal Drops Yard, but not convinced you'd actually buy anything there? Head to the launch party for the development on 1 November, from 6pm-9pm, with big tunes from locals at Spiritland, a festive lights installation and food and drink.
