LUMA

08.02.21

LUMA, the boutique residence comprising 61 distinctive apartments in the heart of King’s Cross, by UK developer Argent has opened its doors for the first time. Designed by award-winning architects Squire & Partners with interior design by Conran and Partners, LUMA - named for the centrality of light to its design ethos - responds to the building’s unique location between two urban green spaces.

Located between Lewis Cubitt Park to the west and the Jellicoe Gardens to the east, Squire & Partners has designed a striking residence that respects the surrounding natural context and connects with the emerging cultural and creative neighbourhood. In a nod to the former industrial character of King’s Cross, the form is expressed as a pair of stepped warehouse-style buildings with a delicately layered facade.

A pattern inspired by converging railway tracks combines with a secondary layer emulating dappled light created by a tree canopy, resulting in an organic pattern used on decorative lattice screens, bas-relief aluminium, and concrete panels which modulate light and views both in and out of the building. Facing Lewis Cubitt Park, a series of bronze-coloured splayed bays with striking geometric balconies undulate across the facade, blurring the boundary between inside and out.

Flanked by retail and restaurant units designed to spill out into landscaped walkways bordering both parks, residents enter LUMA through a dual aspect central reception. A continuation of LUMA’s intricate exterior, the studio creates a seamless entrance, incorporating latticed screens to subtly partition the space. Featuring a stunning resident’s lounge conceived by Conran and Partners, the grand entrance merges classic hotel design with the atmosphere of a welcoming members club. The result is a warm and multi-layered space, with a clear visual connection and axis between the two parks.

High ceilings, dark-stained timber joinery, bespoke lighting, and soft furnishings complement the layered interior architecture of Squire and Partners, with a central Venato marble concierge desk, and light-grey terrazzo flooring with brass inlay pattern.

As residents move through to the apartments, the material palette lightens. Designed to offer light-filled environments in which to live, residences include studios and 1-bedroom apartments on the first three floors, with sizes increasing to provide generous duplex spaces as the building rises, culminating in two exclusive penthouses - Dawn and Dusk, on the 11th floor. A unique design feature of LUMA is the introduction of 1.5-height apartments across the middle floors that allows for distinctive mezzanine living areas and dual aspect views through the length of these apartments.

Three- and four-bedroom residences respectively, the generous internal living spaces of the Dawn and Dusk penthouses span over 2,200sq ft across three levels. Boasting a continuous glazed screen, generous private balconies, and private rooftop gardens, the penthouses offer unparalleled views over King’s Cross and beyond.

With light inspiring all aspects of Conran and Partners curated living spaces and colour palette, the interiors are deliberately understated and natural with an intricate curation of refined materials that complement the interior architecture and instils a sense of serenity that draws in its parkside setting.

Murray Levinson, Partner at Squire and Partners says: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Argent to develop this new boutique residence. LUMA is Squire and Partners’ first building in the King’s Cross area with a design that knits into the evolving urban setting and references the surrounding historical and natural landscape. The building establishes a strong visual and physical connection between the two gardens with a central glazed residential entrance, and apartment layouts which ensure that all residences enjoy dual aspect views of the parks .”

Simon Kincaid, Partner at Conran and Partners, adds, “Our interior design concept is inspired by King’s Cross as a historic gateway to escape from the city, and celebrates the steam age heritage of the area while offering a serene and escapist setting for residents to unwind at home. We have sought to create a sense of identity and character within the apartments themselves which have been described as having the feel of a collection of bespoke residences, despite there being a total of 61 units.”

Robert Evans, CEO, King’s Cross, says: “The completion of LUMA represents a real milestone in our King’s Cross journey as we welcome a new wave of residents to our thriving community and into their homes. A testament to LUMA’s distinctive design and situation to green space is LUMA’s popularity to date, and why today we complete with just two apartments remaining for sale. As we continue our vision to create outstanding residences in context to their location across the King’s Cross Estate, we look forward to completing our future schemes.”

Apartments remaining at LUMA are the Dawn and Dusk penthouses with starting price from £3,290,000.