18montrose becomes first retailer at new King's Cross shopping centre in former rave venue

Transformation: an artist’s impression of what the Coal Drops Yard shopping area will look like
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The developers of a former rave venue at King’s Cross have made the first major signing in their attempt to turn the once desolate area into one of central London’s busiest shopping districts.

Concept store 18montrose, which stocks ranges from designers such as Stone Island, Adidas Statement Footwear, Common Projects and Maison Margiela, is set to open next month.

It will be the first London outlet for the retailer, which made headlines in April when shoppers queued for a week outside its Nottingham branch for the launch of Kanye West’s adidas Yeezy Boost trainers.

The retailer has taken a 5,400 sq ft space at the £90 million Coal Drops Yard scheme behind the station. It was originally designed so steam trains from the Midlands and the North could dump the coal that powered London.

It was more recently known as Bagley’s nightclub, which hosted huge parties in the Nineties and early Noughties before closing in 2007. Guests included Madonna and Prince.

The project is designed by Thomas Heatherwick. When it opens fully in late 2018, its Victorian arches and viaduct spaces will contain about 50 stores and restaurants.

Developer Argent hopes that King’s Cross will become a major fashion and homeware shopping destination in an area which still has a reputation as a “retail desert” — a decade on from the start of its remarkable transformation from a crime-ridden no-go zone.

It has commissioned research from retail consultancy Harper Dennis Hobbs which estimates that 19.7 million visitors will explore the area each year once all the building work is completed in 2021 — more than double the eight million visiting King’s Cross today.

Craig White, of Argent, said: “King’s Cross, already known as a central London office location, a prime residential area and an established foodie destination, is now adding retail. Nearly 20 million people a year will enjoy a hand-picked selection of the best in fashion, homeware and lifestyle, with Coal Drops Yard as the cornerstone.”

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