Great Northern Hotel Arcade - Lawray Ltd T/A Lawray Architects

Great Northern Hotel Arcade

Client: Wallis Kier
Project: Great Northern Hotel Arcade
Value: £9.2m
Date: 2008-10
Part of the first phase of a 67 acre, 8 million sq ft regeneration development at Kings Cross, London, the Great Northern Hotel will have direct access to the new Kings Cross Station Western Concourse and is also adjacent to St Pancras International.


The existing hotel (designed by Lewis Cubitt) opened in 1855 and is a Grade II listed building comprised of 6 floors (including basement) totalling around 5000 square metres (internal areas. The building was designed and developed at the height of the Empire and is an attractive tall, slender, curved structure. The redevelopment plans to return the hotel, which closed in 2001 and has suffered much neglect in recent years, back to its former glory, retaining original details whilst incorporating modern features, including arcades at ground floor level.


The principal job is for Wallis (Kier Group) in a Design & Build relationship. Lawrays role is for 'detailed design and delivery' for forming the pedestrian arcades at ground floor level and related refurbishment works.


The arcades involve both internal and external works, and will be a contemporary design feature designed to integrate the existing, refurbished, hotel with the Kinds Cross development.


In addition, we worked directly with Argent (Developer – Kings Cross Regeneration Project) to help advance 'indicative' proposals to attract a hotelier/tenant for the future fit-out of the Great Northern Hotel.


It is intended that the hotel ‘s rooms, reception, and other public areas will be redesigned and developed, with plans to include retail and food/beverage operations on the ground floor linking with the new arcades.


Overall the Kings Cross Central Scheme is one of the largest projects of its kind seen in London. The whole project will take approx 15 years to complete and will incorporate the stations, mixed use areas with offices, retail outlets, culture, community and educational facilities, as well as residential accommodation and commercial operations. The scheme includes the refurbishment of 20 historic buildings and the creation of new roads, public spaces and parks.

Photographs by John Sturrock
3D Imagery by Miller Hare