At Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, Arup helped turn three largely derelict heritage buildings into a popular shopping and dining district, retaining the historic character of the buildings themselves.

An expansive new upper level with a sculpted roof unites the whole site, with bridges providing additional links. Once disused Victorian brick viaducts are now home to modern retail brands and restaurants, with the space in between being used for events, art installations and markets. Our sympathetic approach means that vestiges of the past are on show everywhere.

Building on a rich industrial heritage

Built in the 1800s as a coal distribution depot, much of Coal Drops Yard stood derelict for years, ending up severely overgrown by vegetation. In the 1980s, a large area of the site was gutted by fire, destroying or damaging the original timber structure and leaving the few cast-iron beams and columns that survived in an unknown condition. A nearby area hosted some of London’s most iconic nightclubs, keeping the structural fabric obscured from view.

With the absence of original structural information, it was vital to build an understanding of the site’s structural capacity and condition in order to retain as much of the Victorian architecture as possible. With our knowledge of construction history combined with evidence uncovered at the site and working closely with the heritage architect, Giles Quarme Associates, we built an archaeological understanding of each phase of the original development.

BIM model of Coal Drops Yard
State-of-the-art digital tools were used to plan the project, including an integrated model of the two buildings and the complex roof structure
Construction of Coal Drops Yard
Built in the 1800s as a coal distribution depot, much of Coal Drops Yard stood derelict for years,
Construction of the roof of Coal Drops Yard
With the absence of original structural information, it was vital to build an understanding of the site’s structural capacity and condition in order to retain as much of the Victorian architecture as possible.

Modern innovation to solve historic challenges

We established early on that the surviving framework had limited capacity for additional loads, so we made the structure of the new upper level and roof independent from the existing building fabric. Using digital models to optimise the use of steelwork, the roof and upper level are supported on steel and concrete framing threaded through the original buildings and supported on new mini-piles squeezed into internal bays.

The upper level is enclosed by a tapering 8m tall structural glass façade. This spans vertically between the slabs and trusses and relies purely on the folded geometry of the glass panels. The system is bonded with structural silicone to increase the stiffness and load-bearing capacity of the façades. A digital model of the existing structure allowed us to realise the architectural vision for the new roof. This model provided the basis for the design and coordination of the new 32m clear span sculpted roof which supports the suspended floor via steel hangers.

The kissing point design at Coal Drop's Yard
The ‘kissing point’, where the two buildings almost meet, is the centrepiece of the development
Aerial view of Coal Drop's Yard at night
The new Coal Drops Yard development has brought a new lease of life to this part of central London

Collaborating to transform and reuse a historic venue

Working in partnership with the project team, local authority and Historic England, via workshops, meetings and site visits, we refined and engineered the design to retain as much of the existing structure and deliver upgraded building performance.

Coal Drops Yard. © Paul Carstairs
Arup helped turn three largely derelict heritage buildings into a popular shopping and dining district, retaining the historic character of the buildings themselves.

Award wins

  • The ICE Bazalgette Award for Sustainability 2019  

  • RIBA London Award 2019 and RIBA National Award 2019  

  • IStructE Awards 2019 – Structural Transformation

  • Driven x Design London Design Awards 2019  

  • World Architecture Festival Awards 2019 – Completed Building Shopping