Finishing the King’s Cross jigsaw

The new 75,000 sq ft King's Cross Square, big enough to accommodate Big Ben laid down lengthways, has been called “the last piece in the jigsaw” of the regeneration of the area.

The Square will provide improved entrances to the London Underground and an area dedicated to public art.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, has laid one of the final paving stones on the new Square, which opens on 26 September 2013.

“The incredible regeneration of King's Cross continues apace,” he said.

“ Network Railis renovating this historic location with ingenuity and flair and this wonderful new square will be the perfect gateway to almost 70 acres of new public spaces, businesses and homes for Londoners, setting a new standard that we should aspire to for all future station redevelopment.”

David Higgins, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said:

“The new square will be a stunning entrance to the King's Cross area.

“It is the last piece in the jigsaw which has led to more than £2.2bn of private investment transforming the area into an exciting centre for business, knowledge and the arts of which the capital can be proud.

“If ever proof were needed that investment in rail provides a catalyst for wider economic growth, this is it.”

Redeveloping the area around the station has been a catalyst for one of the largest regeneration schemes in Europe, with 67 acres of brown field land being redeveloped to create eight million sq ft of offices, retail and housing.