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St Pancras International, the 21st century's first mega-station
St Pancras International, the 21st century's first mega-stationPar Philippe GaillardSt Pancras has come a long way though. Inaugurated in 1868, the old station, despite its impressive roofline and grandiose Neogothic facade, was scheduled for demolition in the 1960s. Saving it took many demonstrations and all the energy of strong opponents, first among whom were writer John Betjeman and architect Alastair Lansley, who certainly didn't know he would be chosen forty years later as main architect of the renovation. Derived from the Greek 'Pan' (all) and 'Kratos' (power), the name St Pancras means 'all powerful'. You indeed get an impression of power and grandeur in front of the new London station which will welcome on 14 November its first Eurostars connecting London to Paris, Lille, Calais, Avignon, and Brussels in a record time. The company LCR (London & Continental Railways), main project contractor, has been totally successful in combining Victorian architecture and futuristic design. It's a euphemism to say LCR has not lacked ambition for this renovation carried out in close cooperation with the prestigious English Heritage. It has called on the greatest architects, designers and artists – Norman Foster, Alastair Lansley, Philippe Starck, Paul Day, Martin Jennings, inter alia –, used the best materials, and introduced extremely innovative concepts.  © LCR The northern extension designed by Norman Foster Everything has been done to wipe out the past image of rail transport. Gone, the sad waiting halls where you killed time in drafts. Exit, the pale neon lights, replaced by immense light wells funnelling light into the station's core. Also, the floors have been covered with noise-deadening noble materials. Even the colour scheme is soothing: sky blue has been brought into the immense Barlow Shed. A thing of the past, the gigantic arrival and departure boards in front of which travellers had to stand motionless waiting for their departure track to appear: dozens of LCD screens judiciously located even in the boutiques and restaurants inform you instantaneously.  The Arcade, one of the shopping galleries © LCR The results of all these efforts are evident: St Pancras International, modelled on New York's Grand Central, is far superior as regards space, elegance and comfort. Its designers have integrated it in the city, making it a retail and hospitality destination not only for travellers and international visitors, but also for all Londoners. Admittedly, some people will be catching a train, but many others will come for a stroll, to surf the Web, visit the dozens of shops of all sizes located throughout the site, fill their shopping basket at the daily farmers' market, or buy flowers or handicrafts. Bankers from the City will come for a business lunch or a glass of Champagne with friends at Europe's longest Champagne bar (90 metres!) casting a glance at the departing or arriving Eurostars or keeping an eye out for a traveller from Europe. Others may prefer a romantic dinner in one of the many restaurants. The sculpture, The Meeting Place, at the foot of the big clock © LCR St Pancras International indeed intends to become a meeting place in its own right: people will meet under the big Victorian clock – an exact replica of the model designed by the clockmaker of Big Ben –, at the foot of an imposing 9 metre statue by British sculptor Paul Day. Dubbed 'The Meeting Place', the sculpture represents a couple embracing affectionately and tenderly. According to Mike Luddy, project director at LCR, the sculpture summarises the philosophy of St Pancras International : 'By reviving some of the romance and glamour of stations and rail travel, we have the opportunity to breathe new life into this spectacular landmark building and make St Pancras a destination in its own right. If you are seeing off a loved one, meeting a long lost friend or talking business, the station is set to become the place to meet in London, whether you're getting on a train or not.' And you'll even soon be able to sleep at the station: the magnificent St Pancras Chambers forming the station's prestigious facade will house a 5 star hotel in 2009 with 245 rooms and 69 luxury apartments on the higher floors. St Pancras International may well be a destination in its own right but don't forget London offers no less than 27 Unesco world heritage sites to be seen. St Pancras International in figuresCost: nearly £ 805 million for the sole renovation of the station; nearly £6bln for the entire High Speed 1 project, the UK's first high speed rail link. St Pancras International will form, with the neighbouring King’s Cross station, the biggest European rail hub: nearly 50 million passengers in transit each year. Travel times: - Paris - London: 2h15 - Brussels - London: 1h50 - Lille - London: 1h20 - London – 2012 Olympic Games Stratford site: 7 minutes! |
