Design Junction announces a brand new King’s Cross Creative Quarter

Designjunction (22 – 25 September) is proud to launch the inaugural King’s Cross Creative Quarter (KXCQ), in partnership with the London Design Festival, Knowledge Quarter and King’s Cross Development.

This brand new initiative, which runs in conjunction with designjunction during the festival, will celebrate all that is creative and cultural in King’s Cross – one of the most vibrant and connected destinations in central London.

Organised by the team behind designjunction, the KXCQ brings together some of the best local restaurants, hotels, high-street retailers, architectural landmarks, renowned cultural institutions and temporary exhibitions for a four-day event, with special events and exclusive offers for visitors to enjoy.

Jodie Eastwood, project manager of Knowledge Quarter added, “designjunction brings together visitors from the local community, across London, nationally and internationally to experience the resources, expertise and knowledge of the great institutions all situated within one mile of King’s Cross. We are delighted to be working alongside designjunction to promote the hugely varied creativity within the Knowledge Quarter during London Design Festival 2016.”

Event and offer highlights

Whether visiting as a design enthusiast, or on a family day out, you will encounter a range of immersive experiences, from stimulating design exhibitions and installations, to some of the finest eateries from around the world and engaging cultural events.

Visitors to designjunction can browse hundreds of new product launches from a stellar line-up of international brands, whilst being immersed in a range of spectacular, specially commissioned features including 10 monopoly-style houses on Granary Square, and a super façade structure by Satellite Architects built around Cubitt House on Lewis Cubitt Square.

Running simultaneously with designjunction, Indian Design Platform – organised by Create Culture – returns this year with a new exhibition, “Transformation”, at the Guardian building (19–25 September). The show takes inspiration from the culture of reuse that exists to the extreme in India, exploring the ways in which designers have reinterpreted discarded materials as design objects.

For a more personal, interactive experience, visitors to the KXCQ can take part in a series of short courses run by Central Saint Martins, UAL during the show. Alternatively, attendees can sign up for free design clinics with architects and designers hosted by leading online platform, Houzz. Those with young children can try the family workshops at House of Illustration on Saturday 24 September.

Shoppers won’t be disappointed when visiting the KXCQ. Browse LK Bennett’s new A/W 2016 collection with a glass of Prosecco, and receive an exclusive 10% discount on full price items as well as a luxury gift with every purchase (while stocks last). Visitors can also enjoy 10% off when spending £25 or more in The White Company, or an any-time-happy-hour drink offer (including £5 for cocktails) – coupled with 10% off design shop purchases – in Drink Shop Do.

To fully immerse yourself in the exciting transformation of the King’s Cross development, why not check in one of the stylish hotels in the KXCQ? The Great Northern Hotel will offer 20% off stays in its Cubitt rooms, while both Hotel California and Hotel Megaro will offer 15% off their best available rates if booking direct via their websites, plus a 10% discount in Karpo restaurant for dinner.

For the best in food and drink whilst visiting King’s Cross, check out the German Gymnasium with its three course menu and a glass of Sekt for just £30, or the three course menu and a cocktail for £29 at The Gilbert Scott.

Rotunda will also run 20% discount on all Butcher’s Steak Cuts and Farm Classic menu items, whilst hosting a BBQ on its terrace offering a beef burger or a vegetarian option with a beer or glass of house wine for just £10.

Grain Store will offer a complimentary Strawberry and Green Grass Bellini to visitors who dine during lunch; alternatively, enjoy an exclusive wine tasting event at Vinoteca between 22–25 September (11am – 7pm).

The full line-up for this year’s KXCQ is as follows (in alphabetical order); see all offers and more details in “Notes to Editor” in the pdf (top of this page):

Food & Drink

Booking Office Bar & Restaurant (St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel) | Dishoom | Drake and Morgan | Drink Shop Do | The Driver | German Gymnasium | The Gilbert Scott (St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel) | GNH Bar (Great Northern Hotel) | Grain Store | Granger & Co | The Greek Larder | Hansom Lounge (St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel) | Karpo (Hotel Megaro) | KIOSK (Great Northern Hotel) | The Lighterman | MI + ME (St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel) | Notes Café | Plum + Split Milk (Great Northern Hotel) | Rotunda | Ruby Violet | Skip Garden | Vinoteca | Yumchaa

Design & Culture

Arts Catalyst | Central Saint Martins, UAL | Crafts Council | Create Culture/Indian Design | Creative Industries Federation | The Foundling Museum | House of Illustration | Houzz | Kings Place Music Foundation | Scriberia | Spiritland | Westminster Kingsway College

Hotels

Great Northern Hotel | Hotel California | Hotel Megaro | St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel & Spa

Shopping

Frame | LK Bennett | Nike | Whistles | The White Company

KXCQ map

To help guide visitors around the area, 200,000 copies of a dedicated KXCQ map will be available and distributed for free across London at key destinations during the festival. Architecturally significant landmarks, from the Granary building and the Filling Station, to the Regeneration House and Western Transit Shed, will be highlighted in the map, offering visitors the opportunity to learn more about the history, heritage and recent transformation of the King’s Cross development.

For more information about designjunction, and to find out more about King’s Cross Creative Quarter and the relevant events and offers, please visit thedesignjunction.co.uk/london/kings-cross-creative-quarter, or click here to download the KXCQ map in pdf.

designjunction London 2016

Thursday 22 September – Sunday 25 September 2016

1 Granary Square | King’s Cross | London | N1C 4AA

Public ticket prices:

£12 – Standard advance

£15 – On the door

www.thedesignjunction.co.uk/tickets

Press registration (free) – www.thedesignjunction.co.uk/pressreg

Trade registration (free) – www.thedesignjunction.co.uk/tradereg, or £15 on the door

*Ends*

Contacts

All media enquiries should be directed to the designjunction team at Caro Communications:

Lucy Price, Account Manager

Jeffrey Cheung, Account Director

E: designjunction@carocommunications.com

T: +44 (0)20 7713 9388

W: www.carocommunications.com @carocomms

For enquiries concerning King’s Cross development, contact Rosie Cade at Argent:

E: rosie.cade@argentllp.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 3664 0256