The Coal Drops, Fish and Coal Offices and Wharf Road ArchesThe Coal Drops, Fish and Coal Offices and Wharf Road Arches

The redevelopment of the Coal Drops, part of the Western Goods Yard, involves a group of heritage buildings being retained for re-use.

The largest of these buildings are known as the East and West Coal Drops - unusual buildings, which played an important role in the inter-modal functions of the Victorian Goods Yard and the industrial landscape of Kings Cross. Their design reveals their function as the point of transfer of coal arriving by train from the north-east of England, to horse-drawn carts for distribution around London.

The area will provide shops, restaurants, bars, galleries, visitor and music venues, in what will become the historic and cultural heart of the development. There will be up to 80-90 small units and kiosks in the area, attracting a diverse mix of specialist, independent and small multiple retailers.

The Fish and Coal Offices and Wharf Road arches will house a food and drink ‘cluster’ which will complement the predominantly retail offerings in Coal Drops Yard.

This area will be for pedestrians only and have routes through to the canal towpath, at upper and lower levels, and links to Camley Street Natural Park and beyond via a new bridge across the Regent's Canal. The Yard itself, a substantial area of public realm central to the Western Goods Yard, will be a home for regular markets and seasonal events.

Concept and design for Coal Drops by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands.

Concept and design for Fish and Coal Offices by David Morley Architects.