The old telephone exchange site in Judd Street, King’s Cross

ANOTHER week, and there’s another big development planned for Judd Street – and another warning from residents.

People living around the King’s Cross street say a new example of their changing neighbourhood can be found in a proposal to turn an old telephone exchange into a new hotel with up to five extra storeys.

Number 123 Judd Street was developed in the 1920s but since 2024 large parts of it have remained largely vacant.

Now developers Dominus have worked up a scheme to open a new hotel, a stone’s throw from the Eurostar, on the site.

The project comes with neighbours already fighting a new biochemical research lab planned for the former offices of the Royal Institute for the Blind, just one block away at 105 Judd Street.

Jon McLoud, who lives in Queen Alexandra Mansions opposite the exchange, said: “It’s the top floors that we are concerned about. It turns what was once a residential area into Gotham City, which is completely out of keeping with the area. They are grabbing as much of the sky as they can.”

Daphne Davies, who also lives in Queen Alexandra Mansions, added: “My bedroom faces the new proposed development. The fear is that they are going to build an extra four or five storeys on the building, they will look straight into my bedroom window.

“We bought a flat on the top floor because it wouldn’t be overlooked and there’s a lot of light, but with this develop­ment – that would all change. We’re being engulfed by all of these developments – we are the main people in the firing line and no one has talked to us at all.”

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The developers, Dominus, have been responsible for student accommodation and hotel developments around London.

No actual designs have been released yet for the site but they are due to be made available for viewing in the lobby of the building today (Thursday).

Mr McLoud said: “I don’t doubt the good faith of the developer, I think they are a good firm, but I think they’re being too aggressive with this site.”

Trevor Shonfeld, vice-chair of Bloomsbury Residents Action Group (BRAG) said if the new lab next door “starts pumping out fumes from the top you’re going to have this bottom of the canyon effect of still air.
Those sort of fumes will wallow and dwell in that area which is really unhealthy. Vapours, smells and odours tend to linger on hot days – and they are very unhealthy and that’s where it becomes dangerous.”

LifeArc, the company behind the research centre, said that safety would be paramount and there would be no danger to the public – while scientists worked on new treatments for rare diseases.

A council spokesperson said: “This planning application has not yet been submitted. We encourage residents to share their views with developers at this stage and we will conduct our thorough consultation process once an application is submitted.”

A Dominus spokesperson said: “Our plans include an additional floor and would increase the height of the building from six to seven storeys.

“Based on our experience, and following feedback from the community, we plan to create a hospitality training academy, in partnership with the Springboard Charity, to provide education, training and job opportunities.

“We take pride in our hotels working closely with community groups – providing access to co-working space, free meeting rooms, and supporting local charities and businesses.

“Finally, we know that having an active security presence and on-site management helps to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.”