Coal Drops Yard confirms opening date, adds four more brands

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jul 18, 2018

The new 100,000 sq ft Coal Drops Yard development in King’s Cross is poised to become a major shopping and lifestyle destination in the heart of London when it opens its doors to the public on 26 October, its developers announced this week.

Located in the regenerated area of King’s Cross, the scheme will be home to over 50 lifestyle and fashion stores, cafés and restaurants, including Paul Smith, Tom Dixon, Cheaney, Maya Magal and Form + Thread.

The line-up of stores has been further expanded this week ahead of Coal Drops Yard’s opening in October. Footwear and accessories designer Tracey Neuls, activewear retailer The Sports Edit, independent concept store S120 and grilled cheese restaurant Morty and Bob’s will all open new stores in the area in autumn.

King’s Cross commissioned Heatherwick Studio to reimagine the group of historic buildings and arches originally established in 1850 to handle the eight million tonnes of coal delivered to the capital each year. Coal Drops Yard had also been the location of legendary nightclubs, a heritage that has been embraced by the architects and brands.

The area’s canal-side arches, the original ‘coal drops’, and a series of raised iron viaducts have been transformed into store space, with larger statement stores sitting at each street corner. Meanwhile, Lower Stable Street, a sunken street between Coal Drops Yard and Stable Street, will provide space for a range of smaller pop-up and experimental stores.

A selection of cafés, bars and new public spaces will ensure the space is attractive for visitors to dwell and discover, while a programme of in-store events, workshops and talks will aim to get visitors coming back.

Craig White, Senior Project Director at Argent, said: “We have set out to foster a community of shopkeepers and restauranteurs that are connected by a commitment to quality, craft and innovation. This is very much now taking shape, with the four exciting new signings today very much displaying these qualities.”

“Coal Drops Yard will have something for everyone, and will always offer a reason to return” added Anna Strongman, development manager and partner at Argent.