Gasholder Park – Magnificence of Simplicity

The Gasholder Park is a delightful public space created within the constraints of the Grade II listed gasholder in the residential heart of King’s Cross however seamlessly integral to its public realm setting overlooking the Regent’s Canal. It is simplicity at its best, drawing people to the area and offering a relaxing, tranquil setting in a high-density urban environment. Overlooked by new residences and in close proximity to a primary school, it is safe and accessible by all.

The iconic gasholder guideframes have decorated the landscape at King’s Cross for over 150 years. Gasholder No.8 is the largest of these, and was built for the storage of town gas for Pancras Gasworks, the largest gas works in London. The guide frame consists of 16 hollow cylindrical cast iron columns in two tiers and two levels of wrought iron riveted lattice girders. The distinctive 25 metre high circular guide frame has an internal diameter of over 35 metres. The gasworks remained in use until the late 20th Century before being decommissioned in 2000.

In 2008 Bell Phillips Architects won a design competition to remodel the Grade II listed Gasholder No.8 as a new public space in the heart of King’s Cross. The fragile cast iron guide frame has been carefully dismantled, refurbished and relocated to a new site adjacent to the Regent’s Canal. A new park at the centre of the gasholder is framed by a stunning mirror-polished stainless steel colonnade which provides a contemporary counterpoint to the vast Victorian structure.

 Materials provided by the Royal Institute of British Architects
Photo: © John Sturrock

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