In 2015, OB Chris Taylor (70-77) hosted members of the OB Club at his offices to learn about the proposed regeneration of King’s Cross. A decade later, with the kind hospitality of School Governor and Director of Asset Management, Anthea Harries, at Related Argent, OBs returned to hear the full story.
Chris played a pivotal role in the regeneration through his leadership at Federated Hermes, which promotes responsible investment and sustainable urban development. His involvement helped guide the transformation into a thriving mixed-use district, balancing commercial success with social and environmental responsibility. Once a neglected industrial area, the 67-acre site has been transformed into a vibrant district that blends heritage with innovation. Over the past decade, the area has seen the restoration of historic buildings such as the Granary Building, now home to Central Saint Martins, a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, and the creation of new landmarks such as Coal Drop Yards, Gasholder Park and the striking King’s Cross concourse. The development has introduced thousands of new homes, including affordable housing, as well as offices for major companies like Google and Meta, public squares, retail units, schools, and cultural venues.
OB Alex Peck (95-06), who recently joined Related Argent and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the site, explained how the mix of retail and office space, alongside the restaurants, had created a popular destination for Londoners, a far cry from the ‘no-go’ area that King’s Cross was once known as.
After the presentation, Alex and Chris fielded many questions from the floor before everyone retired for further drinks and a spot of networking.
Chris is now focused on the regeneration of other parts of the country, including Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds. We look forward to learning about the success of these projects in due course.
