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How You Work: People, Places & Flexible Workspaces
Placemakers
@kingscrossN1C
An ongoing development covering 67 acres of central London, Argent has transformed Kings Cross from a
historically unloved part of the city into a highly sought-after destination for people to live, work and socialise. Its
success is beholden to Argent’s emphasis on
placemaking
; combining effective public spaces with a complementary
mix of commercial tenants. Office use makes up over half of the development scheme, so striking the balance will
certainly influence the character and overall success of the area. The future looks bright, having attracted the likes of
Google, the Jamie Oliver Group and Louis Vuitton, together with The Office Group in One and Seven Pancras Square,
bringing with them a community of startups and SMEs. As Charlie Green, co-founder and CEO of The Office Group
explains, “the Kings Cross development centres around having a broad spectrum of occupiers. Tenants range from
educational institutions, such as UAL Central Saint Martins, to multinational corporates like Havas and Google. The
diversity brings a dynamism and a uniqueness to Kings Cross, which will inevitably attract people to come here.”
“I think landlords who have large office portfolios find it beneficial to contract space to Flexible Office
providers because they attract small businesses. Startups grow fast and are inherently more innovative
than larger companies because they can move quicker and take more risks. For this reason corporates like
to be around small companies; they generate an active and energetic environment to be in. ”
Nick Searl
, Partner, Argent LLP., London