Next office building at Kings Cross gets design approval
(Press release Argent / Porphyrios Associates:) London, 22 August 2014 - Developer Argent has announced that the designs for the newest office development at King’s Cross have been approved by Camden Council. Three Pancras Square, designed by Porphyrios Associates, is an eleven storey building occupying a prominent position on the King’s Cross development. The building will be largely office space (160,000 sq ft) with shops and restaurants at ground level (13,000 sq ft).
Three Pancras Square will sit at the corner of King’s Boulevard and Goods Way, overlooking the Regent’s Canal, with its main entrance on Pancras Square. There will also be an entrance on the building’s eastern side, making it accessible from King’s Boulevard. Its prominent position is complemented by striking architecture.
Speaking about Three Pancras Square, Nick Searl, Partner, Argent LLP, said: ‘We are creating an attractive and accessible work place, in a building that does justice to its surroundings. Three Pancras Square is the next piece of the Pancras Square puzzle and sits in close proximity to the Regent’s Canal and some of the area’s most striking heritage features.’
Commenting on the design of the building, Demetri Porphyrios, Principal of Porphyrios Associates, said: ‘One of the most pivotal places to build in the King’s Cross masterplan is the northern tip of the King's Boulevard. This tree-lined street runs from King's Cross station and St Pancras International, over the Regent’s Canal to Granary Square, home to Central Saint Martins. Our design for Three Pancras Square is inspired by the robust repetition and change that both late 19th century industrial buildings and contemporary office buildings exhibit. We also wanted to build in a manner that celebrates precast stone, with its large tectonic scale and the attendant windows of glazed 'gaps'. All found in the wonderful industrial world of King’s Cross.’
The building will contain ten floors of offices, built around one single core, thus making the most efficient use of space. The central core contains all six passenger lifts, the stairs and services. This design enables all of the offices to have windows around the perimeter, creating a light and open working environment. Specialist office architects Morrow and Lorraine are working on the designs for the common areas.
The ground floor of Three Pancras Square has glass fronted retail spaces, creating sightlines through the building, but also animating and activating the public realm at ground floor level. The two-storey base is tailored on each side to match the character of its surroundings.
BAM will commence construction of Three Pancras Square later in 2014, with the building expected to be completed in summer 2016.