Final Finesses

London’s premium rental development, Author King’s Cross is now open and has begun welcoming its first residents to their new homes on the King’s Cross estate, highly anticipated as the first Build to Rent (BtR) scheme in Related Argent’s portfolio with outstanding service and amenities.

To mark the building’s completion, Related Argent has worked with contemporary art gallery, Sugarlift to curate a collection of stunning artworks for the building’s amenity spaces: a bespoke commission from textile artist, Kenny Nguyen and a striking triptych from painter, Kostas Papakostas, both embodying the energy and beauty of life on the King’s Cross estate.

Author King’s Cross comprises three contemporary buildings providing 182 private rental homes centred around a landscaped courtyard garden. The amenity spaces, designed by Conran & Partners and furnished by Accouter BTR, are inspired by boutique hotels with a dedicated on-site team and concierge available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Amenities include a number of residents’ lounges including the courtyard lounge with a striking timber-lattice ceiling, ‘The Nook’ home-working booths, a Fitness Centre with Technogym equipment, screening room, private dining room, coffee and wine bar and garden kitchen opening onto the courtyard. There are also pet-friendly amenities including a pet wash.

New artwork revealed

Located in the beautiful double height lobby in the entrance, the artwork titled The Threads Between Us is a bespoke commission by Vietnam-born artist, Kenny Nguyen. Vibrant and tactile, Kenny’s ‘deconstructed paintings’ use hundreds of hand-painted silk sheets that are then manipulated on canvas for a distinctive sculptural piece. His artworks embrace the cultural significance of silk and blend it for a modern masterpiece. Reaching 8ft by 8ft, The Threads Between Us is Kenny’s first installation in London. With a vivid colour palette of red, yellow, pink and white, the work brings warmth and energy to the space. 

Artist Kenny Nguyen says: “I am delighted that my artwork is proudly displayed at Author King’s Cross. The nature of my work looks at curiosity of form, how playful and tactile we can be with the silk panels and their nuanced construction. Every artwork is a little piece of my story and my identity and how to communicate what connects us. My vision for Author was to create a source of energy for the space, to inspire people and capture the beautiful vibrancy of the location and its people.”

In one of Author’s residents’ lounges is the second artwork, an emotive triptych by London-based Kostas Papakostas. The triptych, comprised of paintings Momentum, Mirage, and Ritual offers swirls of inky green paint with expressive brushstrokes. The work forms part of Kostas’ water series with the sea as inspiration, inspired by the movement and peace in water.

Artist Kostas Papakostas says: “I have lived in London for 26 years and witnessed the striking evolution of King’s Cross. It has always been a central location for travel but its recent transformation now sees it as a cultural hub that draws people together, whilst respecting its heritage and historical elements. My artwork embraces the state of constant flow we are all in, the nature of change and finding peace with being in flex. This triptych at Author King’s Cross embodies movement and change, hopefully giving people a moment of quiet contemplation in their busy lives.”

New coffee and wine bar announced

Author King’s Cross has partnered with two award-winning hospitality brands, Daygustation Wines and Caravan Coffee, to cater for residents in the new coffee and wine bar. The partnerships are the first to be announced as part of the lifestyle amenities and curated events programme for residents. Daygustation Wines is an independent wine shop in Wanstead founded by wine expert, wine educator and 2002 Young Wine Writer of the Year Matt Day, who has over 20 years’ experience in the wine industry. Caravan Coffee is an independent roastery with eight restaurants and three brew bars across the capital, including a restaurant in nearby Granary Square.

Matthew Day, Owner at Daygustation Wines, said: “I am excited to be working with Author King’s Cross. The Enomatic machines allow residents to sample a diverse range of delicious wines. As an independent shop I am able to work with small, highly individual growers who make exciting and sustainable wines. Through tastings and workshops I am looking forward to getting to know the likes and dislikes of each resident, allowing me to give them the best possible advice and sell them wines they really love. When I am not on hand, each wine has a bespoke Daygustation QR code allowing residents to learn about the grapes, region and food pairing possibilities in plain English written by me.” 

Dan Valenzisi, Business Development Manager at Caravan Coffee, added: “We are delighted to be providing our award-winning Daily Blend for residents at Author King’s Cross, an exceptional coffee, to be enjoyed all day. As an independent brand with our local roastery, we are passionate about bringing delicious, sustainable coffee to Londoners. With one of our restaurants located in nearby Granary Square, we have a great relationship with residents and workers in King’s Cross and we are looking forward to bringing our coffee to the newest residents of the estate.”

Michael Herrington, Director of Build-to-Rent Operations at Related Argent said: “We are delighted to officially launch Author King’s Cross and welcome our first residents into their new homes. Author King’s Cross offers a premium lifestyle in the unique location of the King’s Cross estate. The amenity spaces and attention to detail are important to the rental experience and we are delighted to display such vibrant, evocative works by two prominent artists, as well as to welcome Daygustation Wines and Caravan Coffee to the scheme.”

The apartments are furnished by David Phillips, with a very high specification throughout. Residents at Author King’s Cross will benefit from living in one of the best areas in London as part of the King’s Cross estate, with on-trend retail, a wide variety of eating and drinking options and a rich cultural calendar of events. 

www.authorkingscross.com