posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 9
Who would want to tear down a building like this? Things have changed — last week, Time Out honored St. Pancras Chambers as the First Wonder of London.
George Gilbert Scott’s St. Pancras Chambers building, which fronts the “new” St. Pancras International rail station, had few fans in the 1960’s, a time when London was lurking under a serious coat of grime. No longer was ornate en vogue - it was the dawn of the age of the grey, concrete slab, a time for brutalism, an atmosphere where that which is today considered oppressive could have been seen as liberating.
Today, it is the intricacy and celebratory nature of the old that excites us, and St. Pancras is at the heart of a swiftly regenerating King’s Cross area, a part of London that not too long ago, was considered out of the question unless necessary.
It’s definitely worth admiring, St. Pancras, even if it is at the moment not completed by any means - look to 2010 for the final touches on the project, which include loft apartments and a Renaissance hotel. Coming within a few weeks time, lots of above-average shops and plenty of places to eat.
The eastern entrance.
Inside the station, as good as new.
Hardly a trial to wait on these platforms.
The southeastern entrance, featuring a rebuilt Underground station.
With all the work being done in the local area, you wonder how long before the hostel, and all the other cheap and not-cheerful hotels will survive.
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