Facade’s refurbishment reveals station’s architectural glory in entirely new light

London’s 75,000sq ft King’s Cross Square has been designed for local residents and workers as well as those using the nearby King’s Cross and St Pancras main line and Underground stations.

Marked by the pulling of a Victorian railway signal lever and an explosion of streamers, yesterday’s ceremony was performed by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, London Mayor Boris Johnson and Network Rail chief executive Sir David Higgins.

The new facade and square are part of the £550m development of the King’s Cross station area which saw parts of the old station rebuilt and the former concourse demolished.

Officials said the redevelopment had helped attract £2.2bn in private investment to a previously largely derelict and disused 67-acre site that will also include about 2,000 new homes.

Mr McLoughlin said, “I have been travelling to and from my Derbyshire constituency for years and I remember when King’s Cross and St Pancras were not places you would hang around. Now it is a destination in its own right.”

Sir David Higgins said that the opening marked “the coronation of King’s Cross”.