Beyond Retro - CDY London

For our second location in collaboration with Beyond Retro, the store is situated near King’s Cross Station at Coal Drops Yard, a redeveloped 1850s coal storage facility that now forms part of the wider King’s Cross Central scheme in London.

The space provided a distinctive starting point: an arched structure built from aged yellow brick, full of character and complexity. Its intricate layout includes two separate exits, one leading to the lower street outside the development, and the other opening onto the main promenade within the shopping centre, creating both design challenges and opportunities in terms of flow and visibility.

Working from a blank canvas, the design process was guided by a combination of the client’s internal brand guidelines, including colour schemes and visual identity, and the overarching design framework set by the Coal Drops Yard development. This project evolved through close and ongoing collaboration with the Beyond Retro design team, whose input and feedback were integral at every stage.

Following final approvals from both the Coal Drops Yard design team and Beyond Retro, the project moved into the build phase. The completed space successfully brings together the character of the historic architecture with a contemporary retail experience. The result is a store that reflects both the brand’s identity and the unique setting, and I look forward to future collaborations with the team.