This focus week I have decided to look at events, exhibitions, new building projects and current projects within London.
On Monday I went to look at the progress of the new Eurostar terminal in St. Pancras Station. The old St. Pancras chambers are being converted into a top class hotel, numerous apartments and a "unique" TEN MILLION POUND penthouse! The Barlow shed where Eurostar shall arrive has been carefully restored and there is a large semi open extension on the end of the shed, which is where Midland Mainline trains have been located and later South Eastern trains shall be operating high speed services into Kent. The main entrance currently has been moved to the side of the station, which is quite a long and confusing walk from the refurbished underground station. However, this may change once the station is completely finished in two or so weeks time.
To support this huge project an exhibition has been opened in a building opposite called the Gymnasium, which was where gymnastics was first introduced into this country by German Immigrants. Inside are models showing St. Pancras and it's surroundings, how the huge tunnels were constructed, the general history of the station and plans on the surrounding Kings Cross development. Upstairs was a photographic exhibition showing the some of the people and the skills they used in the construction of St. Pancras International, which was okay in places if a bit too corporate.
After seeing the Gymnasium I had a wander round the Kings Cross area looking at all the old disused railways buildings, warehouses and gasworks and seeing how in a few years time it shall all be gone and replaced with shiny glass offices, which is nice but they won't have any heart or character like the existing ones do, but this is how London works.
On Monday I went to look at the progress of the new Eurostar terminal in St. Pancras Station. The old St. Pancras chambers are being converted into a top class hotel, numerous apartments and a "unique" TEN MILLION POUND penthouse! The Barlow shed where Eurostar shall arrive has been carefully restored and there is a large semi open extension on the end of the shed, which is where Midland Mainline trains have been located and later South Eastern trains shall be operating high speed services into Kent. The main entrance currently has been moved to the side of the station, which is quite a long and confusing walk from the refurbished underground station. However, this may change once the station is completely finished in two or so weeks time.
To support this huge project an exhibition has been opened in a building opposite called the Gymnasium, which was where gymnastics was first introduced into this country by German Immigrants. Inside are models showing St. Pancras and it's surroundings, how the huge tunnels were constructed, the general history of the station and plans on the surrounding Kings Cross development. Upstairs was a photographic exhibition showing the some of the people and the skills they used in the construction of St. Pancras International, which was okay in places if a bit too corporate.
After seeing the Gymnasium I had a wander round the Kings Cross area looking at all the old disused railways buildings, warehouses and gasworks and seeing how in a few years time it shall all be gone and replaced with shiny glass offices, which is nice but they won't have any heart or character like the existing ones do, but this is how London works.
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