A Photographic Tour of London’s King Cross in 1990 by Peter Marshall

In 1990, Kings Cross was an area in London that was undergoing significant redevelopment. The area had a history of being a major transportation hub, with the iconic Kings Cross railway station and the adjacent St Pancras International railway station located there. The area also had a reputation for being a bit run-down and seedy, with a high crime rate and a prevalent sex trade.

However, by 1990, efforts were underway to revitalize the area and make it a more attractive place to live, work, and visit. The British Railways Board had begun a major redevelopment of Kings Cross railway station, which included the construction of a new concourse and the restoration of the historic train sheds. The area around the station was also being transformed, with new office buildings, shops, and residential developments being built.

In addition to the redevelopment of the railway station, there were also plans to build a new shopping and leisure complex called “The Regent Quarter” in the area, which would include a multiplex cinema, a bowling alley, and a variety of shops and restaurants.

However, despite the redevelopment efforts, Kings Cross in 1990 was still a largely gritty and run-down area, with a high crime rate and many vacant or derelict buildings. It was also a diverse and multicultural community, with a large population of immigrants and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Here are some stunning photos of London’s King Cross in 1990 by Peter Marshall

#1 German Gymnasium, Cheney Road, Kings Cross, 1990

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#2 Kings X Radio Cars, Kings Cross Road, 1989

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#3 Camley St Natural Park, 1991

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#4 Viaduct, Kings X Goods Yard, Kings Cross, Camden, 1989

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#5 Gasholders, Camley St Natural Park, 1991

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#6 Western Goods Shed, Kings X Goods Yard, 1989

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#7 76-78, Caledonian Rd, 1986

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#8 Argyle Walk, 1986

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#9 144-6, Kings Cross Rd, Pentonville, Islington, 1992

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#10 Lloyd’s Diary, Amwell St, Kings Cross, Islington 1986

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#11 Garage, SMT contracts, 30-32, York Way, 1990

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#12

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#14 Fete, Camley St Natural Park, 1991

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King’s Cross derived its name from the sixty foot high structure which was erected as a memorial to King

George IV in 1830-35. Built at the junction of the New Road (Euston Road), Maiden Lane (York Way) and Gray’s Inn Road, this structure was removed within fifteen years.

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#15 Recycling Machine, Camley St Natural Park, 1991

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#17 Gas Holders, Regent’s Canal, 1985

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#18 Eastern Coal Drops, Kings X Goods Yard, Kings Cross, Camden, 1989

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#19 Argyle Walk, Kings Cross, Camden 86

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#20 Triplet, Gas Holders, Goods Way, Camley St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#21 Dodd’s The Printers, 1990

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#22 Gasholders, Culross Buildings, Battle Bridge Road, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#23 Dancers, Mural, Stanley Buildings, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#24 Kings Cross Radio Cars, 1990

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#25 Camley Street Natural Park, 1990

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#26 Gasholders, Goods Way, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#27 Under the 1864 Viaduct, Kings X Goods Yard, King’s Cross, Camden, 1989

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#28 St Pancras Cafe, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#29 Gasholders, Goods Way, Kings Cross, Camden, 1989

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#30 Railway Tavern,Jaidee, SMT contracts, 26-30, York Way, Kings Cross, Islington, 1990, 90-8a-53 The Railway Tavern and I think the rest were demolished in 2003

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#31 Connaughts Café, York Way, Kings Cross, Islington 86

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#32 Dodds the Printers, Kings Cross Road, King’s Cross, Camden, 1989

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#33 140-142,Kings Cross Rd, Pentonville, Islington, 1992

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#34 Houses, Frederick St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1986

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#35 Gasholders, Pancras Rd, Goods Way, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#36 Cumberland Gardens, Great Percy St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1992

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#37 Eastern Coal Drops, Kings X Goods Yard, King’s Cross, Camden, 1989

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#38 Stanley Passage, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#39 C S K X, Initials of Camley St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1991,

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#40 G Franchi & Sons, Locksmiths, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990,

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#41 St Chad’s Place, Kings Cross Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#42 Pentonville Rd, Grays Inn Rd, Kings Cross, Camden 86

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#43 The Saloon, Hairdresser, 205, Kings Cross Rd, St Pancras, Camden, 1986

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#44 Grays Inn Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#45 Connaughts, Kings Cross Garages Ltd, York Way, Kings Cross, Islington, 1990

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#46 G Franchi & Sons, Locksmiths, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#47 Former Kings Cross Laundry, York Way, Pentonville, Islington, 1989

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#48 Gasholders, Pancras Rd, Goods Way, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#49 The Granary, Kings X Goods Yard, Kings Cross, Camden, 1989

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#50 Gulf Tanker, Grange Motors, York Way, Kings Cross, Islington, 1990

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#51 Kings Cross Aquarium, Caledonian Rd, Pentonville, Islington, 1990

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#52 Bridge, Granary, Regent’s Canal, Kings Cross, Camden, 1985

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#53 Ideal Stores, Jaguar Daimler Motors, Jahn, York Way, Kings Cross, Islington, 1990

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#54 Kings Cross Goods Yard, York Way, Camden 86

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#55 St Pancras Cafe, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#56 The Union Tavern, pub, Kings Cross Road, 52, Lloyd Baker St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1992.

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A pub here in the 1740’s was called The Black Bull or The Bull in the Pound. It was renamed The Union Tavern in 1807 and rebuilt around 1820. The current building dates from 1878

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#57 Great Northern Hotel, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#58 Whidborne St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#59 Dancers, Mural, Stanley Buildings, Stanley Passage, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#60 Bus Shelter, Euston Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1986

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#61 Gas Holders, Camley St, Goods Way, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#62 The Caxton Printer, Kings Cross Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#63 Burning Poll Tax Demands, Cromer St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#64 Corner Cafe, Phoenix Rd / Midland Rd

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#65 Regents Canal, Granary, Kings Cross Goods Yard, 1989

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#66 The Granary, Kings X Goods Yard

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#67 Gasholders, Goods Way, Kings Cross, Camden, 1989

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#68 King’s X, Railway Lands, Planning for Real, Tonbridge St, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#69 Viaduct, Kings X Goods Yard, Kings Cross, Camden, 1989

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#71 Lloyd’s Diary, Amwell St, Kings Cross, Islington

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#72 Posters, Grays Inn Rd, Kings Cross, Camden, 1990

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#73 Caledonia St, Kings Cross, Islington

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#74 The Granary, Kings X Goods Yard, 1989

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