5 reasons to visit Coal Drops Yard
By Jacky Parker
Home to over 50 stores, restaurants and cafés, Coal Drops Yard houses a collection of the coolest brands in a re-imagined set of historic buildings and arches directly adjacent to Granary Square and Regent’s Canal. Originally built in 1850 to handle the eight million tonnes of coal delivered to the capital each year, Coal Drops Yard more recently became the site of legendary Gen Xer nightclubs Bagley’s and The Cross, before its spectacular new incarnation. Here's why it's worth a look...
1 THOMAS HEATHERWICK DESIGN
The look of the reinvention is largely down to the world-famous Heatherwick Studio, which has created jaw-dropping vistas from the surviving rich ironwork of the original Victorian coal drops. The pièce de résistance is the 'kissing rooftop' which undulates and rises up from the buildings below.
No space at Coal Drops Yard is the same. Stores and restaurants are located in canal-side arches fronting on to cobbled courtyards, within the original ‘coal drops’ themselves and across a series of raised iron viaducts. Larger stores sit at each street corner, whileLower Stable Street, a sunken street between Coal Drops Yard and Stable Street, features smaller pop-up and experimental stores.
2 LIVE MUSIC
To celebrate the opening, expect Coal Drops Yard Firsts, a four-day party with live music, installations and events, which will be held from Thursday 1 November-Sunday 4th November.
A night of music curated by Kings Cross locals, Spiritland will be held from a central stage in the main yard of the former Victorian coal drops. Headlining the night will be Benji B plus live performances by, Osymyso, Charlotte Hatherley and special guests. Or head to Lower Stable Street for NTS X Honest Jon's Street Party.
3 BRILLIANT BRANDS
The stores themselves will house some of the world’s most forward-thinking brands, each worth a visit for the architecture alone. Tom Dixon, Bonds, Caravane, Margaret Howell and Wolf & Badger are some of our favourite interior, fashion and lifestyle offerings.
From 1 November-1 December, there's a Hem pop-up too, for fans of the Scandinavian furniture and homeware store.
4 FOODIE HEAVEN
Alongside the independent stores, Coal Drops Yard will house a range of cafés and bars, top restaurants and public spaces, so you can take a breather with your bags and grab a cocktail, coffee or the full three courses. Expect to seeBarrafina, Casa Pastor, Le Chocolat - Alainne Ducasse, Morty & Bob'sand wine bar, The Drop, with plenty more on offer.
5 A LOOK BACK AT THE FACE
As part of the opening celebrations, there will be an outdoor exhibition telling the story of iconic magazine The Face's 38-year reign, which marked it as the brand that defined youth culture, featuring 250 of its most influential covers on display in Lewis Cubitt Square.
King's Cross, London, N1C 4DQ
Find out more at Coal Drops Yard
-
-
White living room ideas: 25 schemes and ideas for a chic white living room
These striking and stylish white living room ideas that prove white walls can be pale and interesting...
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
The best bathroom cabinets - a stylish edit of our favorite storage pieces
The best bathroom cabinets chosen for style, practicality and being able to fit in all sorts of awkward spaces
By Alison Davidson •
-
Front door ideas: 15 front door colours, plus practical advice from the experts
Front door ideas for an exterior colour refresh
By Livingetc •
-
Small backyard ideas – 10 stylish ideas for small backyards
These small backyard ideas add masses of style to small outdoor spaces
By Caroline Donald •
-
8 best wood beaded chandeliers: embellished beauties, big on boho style
These wood beaded chandeliers will add instant impact without for anyone wanting a glitz-free lighting centrepiece
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Forget Cottagecore - Flora Fantasia by House of Hackney is Cottage hardcore
House of Hackney's Flora Fantasia collection blends the romanticised rural aesthetic with riotous punk elements
By Jacky Parker •
-
Bert & May's new hexagon tiles collection is tapping into one of this year's biggest micro trends
Tap into the microtrend for hexagon tiles and make myriad patterns with this new collection from Bert & May
By Jacky Parker •
-
Matthew Williamson’s tip for renovating a house on a budget is so simple, but incredibly effective
Renovating a house on a budget? See the savvy ways to control costs when managing an interior redesign
By Jacky Parker •
-
Gray living room ideas - how to get this shade right
Gray living room ideas range from moody darks to whisper pales. Read on for all the advice you’ll need to find your perfect gray paint.
By sallynarraway •
-
House Tours Open Door with photographer Sarah-Louise Marks
VIDEO: In our House Tours Open Door series, photographe rSarah-Louise Marks walks us round her home full of monochrome style
By Livingetc •