Residence
Derby Lodge
Derby Lodge is known to be the place sqat in the 1970s. Squatters then became involved in a short-life housing cooperative, taking over the local authority housing under licence to provide refuges for the homeless.
Medical & Care
Ear Nose and Throat Hospital
Within the site there is a clinic, hospital (ear, nose, and throat hospital-(ENTH)), and there is a help hospice to help with patients.
The ENTH was founded in 1874 and merged with the Hospital for diseases of the Throat on Greys In Road to later have a ‘ear’ department. During 1897-98, the hospital building was demolished and rebuilt, which is where it became the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, to later become part of the NHS Trust in 1996. It is the largest ENTH in the UK and incorporates university students from UCL, so not only is it a hospital but a learning hospital.
The hospital originally provided free health care but later adopted a system where patients contribute for their medical care according to the their financial status. In 1913 the cost of an in-patient was our equivalent of £2.80 a week.
Initially the hospital consisted of two houses with 16 beds, to later grow to 21 beds and a children’s ward in 1883. In 1925 the hospital grew thanks to the demolishment next door and in 1939 the number of beds grew to 103, to then 225 beds in 1942. The hospital also consists of three main theatres.
Extra information: http://www.drfosterhealth.co.uk/hospital-guide/hospital/nhs/Royal-National-Throat,-Nose-and-Ear-Hospital-289.aspx
Kings Cross Road Surgery
For those who have less specific problems, the site also holds a surgery that also belongs to the NHS. It provides psychological therapy services and also acts has a general surgery for walk in patients.
Help The Hospice
Help the hospice is building that aims to improves people’s lives by helping those who have terminal illnesses, helping those live well before they die, and general support system for patients. This is a free service.
Food & Drink
St Chads Place
This was once a mechanics workshop in a Victorian warehouse style that has been restored by Squire and Partners Architects. Since 2003, it has become the local place to go for food and drinks with live music events and a Friday night DJ.
Smithys
More than a hundred years ago the building was the housing of the shire horses which pulled the omnibuses on the streets of London. The family who run the venue kept some of the original features while adding some modern touches making their customers feel at home. There are many windows which allows air to circulate, making it feel spacious and bright.
Monto Water Rats
Next to and underneath the Ear Nose and Throat hospital is the ‘Monto Water Rats Theatre’ which is known for their live indie and rock concerts. Originally the music venue was known as The Pindar of Wakefield and famous for old time music hall.
Businesses
Squire and Partners Architects
Starting off in a small basement in Pimlico, architect Michael Squire and Partners was founded in 1976. They took on small projects, to other medium scaled projects in the late 1980s and grew from there on. In 2001 the practice moved to Kings Cross because of the growth of the team (over 100 people). The building is 2 story with a café, informal meeting areas.
Entertainment
Gagosian Gallery
This is a contemporary art gallery owned and directed by Larry Gagosian. There are 11 different gallereys around the world. Brittania Street’s opened in May 2004, designed by Caruso St John.
Scala
Originally the Scala opened as a cinema in April 1920, allowing a capacity of 1300 people. Due to the war in 1914, the Scala was converted into a factory to help make airoplane parts to help with the war. However it was damaged by German bombs and closed in 1949 for repairs. The theatre was redesigned by architects T.P Bennet & Son and reopened in 1952.
Now, the Scala is known as a night club and live concert venue.
Theatre | CassStudio6 