“Flying saucer” arriving at King’s Cross
First look at the new King’s Cross station concourse as its stunning roof is completed
Commuters could be forgiven for feeling like they are about to board a spaceship rather than a train when they enter the new-look King’s Cross next year.
The station’s new concourse is set to open in time for the Olympics – and the stunning curved frame that forms its roof is now complete.
The futuristic structure, pictured here for the first time, resembles something from a sci-fi film – and it looks like a flying saucer from above.
Ian Fry, Network Rail’s project director, said: “Whether you love it or hate it, I think it will leave an impression.
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“The new concourse represents a significant achievement in engineering and architecture, and will provide passengers with improvements from spring next year.
“It is an exceptional addition to a significant London landmark.”
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The new concourse, on the western wing of the station, will host new shops and restaurants – and boast the biggest station pub in the country, where commuters can take the edge off the working day over two floors.
Designed by renowned architects McAslan, it is part of a �500million upgrade to the entire Grade I listed station, which will also see the main train sheds refurbished.
The final phase of the project will see the concourse in Euston Road demolished to make way for a huge public square – bigger than Leicester Square – to open in 2013.
Network Rail hopes the station will become a world-class travel hub to rival its more glamorous neighbour St Pancras International.
And one of the main aims is to ease chronic overcrowding at King’s Cross, which serves 47 million passengers ever year.
David Statham, of train company First Capital Connect, said: “We want to make overcrowding a thing of the past.
“This project is really good news for all the passengers who use the station every year.”
