A new residential development in London’s King Cross incorporates three Grade II-listed, cast iron gasholder guide frames that were originally constructed in 1867. The three residential buildings are housed within the frames at varying heights as a reference to the movement of the original gasholders, which were dismantled and removed in 2001.
The new development provides 145 apartments, a private gym and spa, a business lounge, and an entertainment suite with a screening room, bar reception area, and private dining room. The apartments are accessed through a central courtyard. Each residential drum has its own atrium and core, which are linked by a series of circular walkways.
Courtesy Wilkinson Eyre.
The apartment units make use of the circular shape of the buildings by placing the living rooms and bedrooms at the perimeter where they can receive the most natural light. The pie-shaped configuration of the grid forms open-plan apartments with expansive views and multiple orientations. The buildings’ cladding is composed of modular vertical panels of steel and glass textured with a veil of shutters that can be opened or closed at the touch of a button.
Courtesy Wilkinson Eyre.
A fourth cylindrical volume forms an open courtyard at the center of the development and green roofs help bring nature to the urban landscape.
The project’s design team consisted of Wilkinson Eyre, Jonathan Tuckey Design, and No 12 Studio.
Courtesy Wilkinson Eyre.
Related Stories
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 21, 2024
Massachusetts launches program to spur office-to-residential conversions statewide
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently launched a program to help cities across the state identify underused office buildings that are best suited for residential conversions.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 19, 2024
Jim Chapman Construction Group completes its second college town BTR community
JCCG's 200-unit Cottages at Lexington, in Athens, Ga., is fully leased.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 19, 2024
Two senior housing properties renovated with 608 replacement windows
Renovation of the two properties, with 200 apartments for seniors, was financed through a special public/private arrangement.
MFPRO+ New Projects | Mar 18, 2024
Luxury apartments in New York restore and renovate a century-old residential building
COOKFOX Architects has completed a luxury apartment building at 378 West End Avenue in New York City. The project restored and renovated the original residence built in 1915, while extending a new structure east on West 78th Street.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 18, 2024
YWCA building in Boston’s Back Bay converted into 210 affordable rental apartments
Renovation of YWCA at 140 Clarendon Street will serve 111 previously unhoused families and individuals.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 15, 2024
San Francisco voters approve tax break for office-to-residential conversions
San Francisco voters recently approved a ballot measure to offer tax breaks to developers who convert commercial buildings to residential use. The tax break applies to conversions of up to 5 million sf of commercial space through 2030.
Apartments | Mar 13, 2024
A landscaped canyon runs through this luxury apartment development in Denver
Set to open in April, One River North is a 16-story, 187-unit luxury apartment building with private, open-air terraces located in Denver’s RiNo arts district. Biophilic design plays a central role throughout the building, allowing residents to connect with nature and providing a distinctive living experience.
Affordable Housing | Mar 12, 2024
An all-electric affordable housing project in Southern California offers 48 apartments plus community spaces
In Santa Monica, Calif., Brunson Terrace is an all-electric, 100% affordable housing project that’s over eight times more energy efficient than similar buildings, according to architect Brooks + Scarpa. Located across the street from Santa Monica College, the net zero building has been certified LEED Platinum.
MFPRO+ News | Mar 12, 2024
Multifamily housing starts and permitting activity drop 10% year-over-year
The past year saw over 1.4 million new homes added to the national housing inventory. Despite the 4% growth in units, both the number of new homes under construction and the number of permits dropped year-over-year.
