DMA oversaw the concept, unifying design code and planning submissions, with detailed planning consent determined by both Camden and Islington Borough Councils in 2016. The masterplan comprises three buildings ranging in height between 3 and 16 storeys, arranged around a new public square and community garden which perfectly frames the concept with which the buildings have been designed: a new London Square; a new destination at the edge of the King’s Cross Central Development; a place to live; and a place to visit.

The development features 218 rental homes across the three blocks, and a mix of compelling amenities such as a residential fitness centre, screening room, dining area, retail, and a crèche. Each building has its own identity and is thoughtfully designed to interact with the street and the garden. The character is predominantly brick clad in dark hues which echoes the sooty brick colour of some of London’s great residential squares and relates to the surrounding railway infrastructure.

Author occupies a challenging urban site characterised by its industrial and railway character, bounded by road and rail with underground rail tunnels. The site’s change of level discretely locates a part basement level that provides an opportunity to accommodate parking and servicing uses in an imaginative way while maintaining an active street frontage onto York Way.

DMA collaborated with other leading architects and interior designers including: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Haptic, Fabrik and Conran and Partners and led a team of design consultants including Ramboll and Hoare Lea. The original 2016 planning consent focused on residential for sale offering, which in response to market demand was redesigned to a BTR concept in 2019.