Breathing New Life into Historic Buildings

Change is inevitable. And never more so than in cities. As they expand and grow, as their populations age or get younger, as industries come and go, as society evolves and changes, the one constant about cities is their ability to change. 

Sometimes that change means focusing on new developments. Developments that are designed from the start to have a specific purpose, be it commercial or residential or a mix of both, and which are designed with the latest trends in design, architecture and technology in mind. 

Other times change comes in the form of modifying existing buildings for different purposes than they were originally built for. There are many benefits to this - the preservation of historical buildings and a piece of history is important for cities, even those looking frantically to the future, must find the space for the buildings which helped it get where it is in space and time. It can also make change quicker to come by, rather than starting from scratch. 

Redeveloping London

London is a great example of how it manages change while still staying true to its historical roots and architecture. It manages to respect its historical buildings while still embracing the future and its current residents' needs. 

One great example of this is the development currently transforming the historic buildings of King’s Cross. Once a thriving industrial area connected to London’s major coal fields, it was once a hive of industrial activity (most of which no longer exists). In more recent years it is better known for its train interchange station. 

Within King’s Cross over 20 historic buildings and structures are undergoing restoration. So significant is the redevelopment that English Heritage named the project “One of England’s 20 Best Heritage-Led Developments”. They summed up the spirit and quality of the re-development perfectly with these words, “King’s Cross is a model of constructive conservation that captures the special quality of London as it has grown over the centuries.” – English Heritage.

We take a look at some of the buildings converted, recognizing their past use, and their aspirations for the future.

The Granary

The Granary, for example, was one of the first of the old buildings to be repurposed. It once stored wheat for London’s bakeries, and now is home to Central Saint Martins, one of the world’s most famous art colleges. London may not be the industrial hub that made it so successful in the past - but now its capital lies in other areas, and its creativity and centre as a flourishing arts centre is one of the many things that makes London a city of the future. 

The German Gymnasium

King’s Cross is also home to the German Gymnasium. Finished in 1865 it was the first purpose-built gymnasium in England at the time, and it played a large role in developing the field of athletics in the UK. The gymnasium included a main exercise hall and over the years it was home to an array of wonderful, and now often long forgotten sports, such as Indian club swinging (the mind boggles!) and broadsword practice. It was also one of the earliest centres to offer exercise classes from women, an almost unheard of practice at the time. Today this elegant building is home to the German Gymnasium Restaurant (we love how they kept the name) and it aims to capture the style and splendor of the 19th century cafes of Europe. What we also love about this restoration is that many of the gymnasium’s original features were kept, including the original cast iron hooks from which athletes once practiced for the Olympics. Breathing new life into historic buildings doesn’t mean total renovation, and there are plenty of examples of how the old and new can and do co-exist in perfect harmony.

The Coal Drops

Just as fascinating are the Coal Drops - these buildings were built in the 1850s and held coal arriving from the coal fields in the north of the country (coal was literally dropped into them), until they were then distributed around the city. The Coal Drops are no strangers to the concept of flexible use - over the years since they fell out of use (following the demise of the coal fields), they have been used as film sets, and have hosted some of London’s most popular rave parties. Now they are the permanent home to the Coal Drops Yard - redeveloped as a shopping and dining destination. They still proudly display their cobbled streets and brick arches from when they were first built, but now they also contain a unique range of 50 shops, galleries and restaurants. Here the past and the future have combined to provide a place for creatives to display and share their work, while providing another place for Londoners to come together. 

The Fish and Coal Buildings

The Fish and Coal Buildings, built in 1851, were home to the clerks who tracked and reported on the coal moving through the site. In later years they were home to those monitoring the fish which moved through London. Knowing all that, also explains their unique name. These canal side buildings were completely destroyed by a devastating fire in 1983, and only recently have been developed. Now they are the brand new home of Tom Dixon, the British designer. The re-developed buildings will serve as the HQ for his brand and will include a flagship store, storeroom and café. As part of the redevelopment, a new elevated Park, Bagley Walk, was developed as another new quality community space in the area. What was once a centre of work and industrial activity is now home to one of London’s up and coming designers, as well as somewhere for leisure in the heart of the city.

Mixing the old and new

The re-development of King’s Cross reinforces this idea that change, especially in cities, is a constant. Industries flourish and die, or move on somewhere else. In their place come new opportunities, advancements and a different way forward. It can take time for cities and their buildings to adapt to this change, but urban centres are, if anything, flexible. Repurposing old buildings is central to their ability to meet the future head on, stronger than ever. But what the redevelopment in King’s Cross also teaches us, is that this drive to meet the future doesn’t have to come at the cost of sacrificing the past. Historical buildings can be renovated, redeveloped and given a new lease of life, while still preserving what made them so useful or beautiful in the past. And this is why and how cities remain relevant far into the future.