St Pancras - the redbrick neo-gothic masterpiece next to Kings Cross Station - is semi-derelict. The outside has been cleaned up, the building has been granted listed status, and will be renovated in due course (possibly 18 months to 2 years). In the meantime The Derelict Sensation will be collaborating with others to put on events in the building. We are stunned to have this opportunity - and of course, it couldn't be more appropriate for our project.
BARTOLOMY'S PHOTOS Don't forget that Bartolomy has photographed the interior of the building especially for The Derelict Sensation.
THE OWNERS The owners are London and Continental Railways. There's a good 'virtual tour', that we can't link to directly (flash), so go to St Pancras Chambers > virtual tour. See also a brief history and a gallery of stills from the various film and fashion shoots that have used the building (including, of course, the Spice Girls!)
THE UNOFFICIAL TOUR Jonathan Hall has created a text and photographic tour with a great deal of exuberance.
THE (London) GUARDIAN reports on the recent 'Shine' exhibition As well as details of the 'Shine' exhibition held during the Open House 2002, the article provides an excellent description of the building.
And the future?
Architect JAMES MATHEWS
is asked to
comment.
"I have
discounted the
option of restoring
it into a hotel
quite simply
because it was
a very bad hotel
layout in the
first place,
making it all
the more difficult
to adapt to
the stringent
requirements
of contemporary
hotel design."
We would tend
to agree. However,
having commissioned
the report,
the indications
are that the
owners plan
to ignore it. They say:
"The
proposed scheme
will see the
Chambers return
to its former
glory by developing
it in part as
an international
deluxe Marriott
Hotel, with
the small staff
rooms on the
upper floors
converted to
loft apartments.
In order to
provide additional
modern hotel
accommodation,
there will be
a sympathetically
designed hotel
extension, built
to the rear.
Plans for the
restoration
of the main
public rooms
within the building
are included
within the scheme."