Kings Cross Masterplan

King’s Cross is one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in London’s recent history. Over the past two decades, this once-neglected pocket of former railway land has undergone a complete transformation. Once defined by derelict sidings and disused warehouses, it has been reimagined as a dynamic and diverse city district—home to thousands of residents, cultural landmarks, global businesses, and some of the capital’s most admired public spaces.

At the heart of this redevelopment is a deep respect for place. The King’s Cross masterplan has balanced modern innovation with the heritage and industrial character of the site, stitching together old and new to form a vibrant neighbourhood with a strong sense of identity.

BIM Technologies has been proud to support Argent LLP, the development partner behind this ambitious vision, in their mission to build not just buildings but a digitally enabled estate prepared for long-term resilience and performance.

The story of King’s Cross is one of reinvention. From rural outskirts to Victorian industrial heartland, the arrival of Regent’s Canal and the railway network in the 19th century transformed the area into a critical hub of transport and trade. Coal, grain and other commodities passed through its yards and warehouses, feeding a fast-growing city.

However, by the late 20th century, the area had fallen into decline—its infrastructure outdated, its buildings abandoned, and its economic base hollowed out. It wasn’t until the late 1990s, with the decision to relocate the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to nearby St Pancras, that momentum for change returned to the site.

In 2001, Argent was selected to deliver a new vision: one rooted in civic principles, community consultation and long-term stewardship. The masterplan, developed by Allies and Morrison, Porphyrios Associates and Townshend Landscape Architects, received outline planning consent in 2006.

This paved the way for the creation of over 50 new buildings, 20 new streets, 10 public squares and parks, and the restoration of historic assets including the Granary Building and the Coal Drops.

In response to the scale and complexity of the development, Argent recognised early on the need for a coordinated, forward-thinking approach to information and asset management. BIM Technologies was appointed to provide strategic client-side BIM consultancy, supporting the creation of a robust digital estate.

Our role began with a detailed assessment of Argent’s existing systems and processes. Working closely with the client, we mapped out how the organisation could integrate digital methods across its development pipeline- from individual projects to the estate-wide scale.

This involved:

• Advising on standards, workflows and protocols to support consistent data capture.
• Coordinating the adoption of digital design and construction tools.
• Supporting interoperability across design teams and delivery partners.
• Helping Argent align its digital estate with long-term operational needs.

By embedding structured digital practices across the masterplan, we enabled Argent to deliver efficient, well-coordinated projects- and to futureproof the estate as it transitions from construction to occupancy and long-term management.

Today, King’s Cross is a thriving city quarter. The University of the Arts London occupies the Granary Complex. At the same time, international names such as Google, Meta, Universal Music, and Havas have chosen to locate their UK headquarters in the development. The restored Coal Drops Yard has become a celebrated retail destination, combining industrial architecture with contemporary design. Granary Square, Lewis Cubitt Park, Gasholder Park and other public spaces now serve as important meeting places and cultural venues for residents and visitors alike.

Throughout this transformation, BIM Technologies has remained a key digital partner, helping ensure that the King’s Cross development is not just smart in design- but built with long-term insight, performance, and flexibility in mind.

As King’s Cross continues to evolve, we remain committed to supporting Argent in harnessing the power of data, digital workflows and collaboration to shape a future-ready urban estate.