We leave the supermarket by its main entrance facing the canal. Turning right we take the path along the front of the Midland Goods Shed and Regeneration House. This brings us to the Eastern Transit Shed offices that front Granary Square and now incorporate the House of Illustration. Founded by Sir Quentin Blake, it opened in July 2014, a charitable trust dedicated to book illustration and the graphic arts.
We turn the corner into Granary Square, noting the lines of railway tracks and turntables picked out by variations in paving. Facing the Eastern Transit Shed Offices, we note a difference in the tone of brick on the façade of the building, the result of rebuilding following bomb damage in November 1940. Shrapnel damage can still be seen on the adjoining side of the Granary.
We make our way across a paved area inset with dozens of fountain that provide a play area in the summer months. The fountains informally recollect the Granary Basin that was filled a century ago. The actual outline of the canal basin is somewhat elusively shown by a line of paving that can barely be distinguished from the general paving. Varied use of paving has also been used to show other historical features, including embedded rails, capstans and turntables.
From Granary Square we make our way back over King’s Bridge, crossing Goods Way before turning right to the next opening between new buildings that leads into Pancras Square. We continue heading south through Pancras Square, before turning right just before the German Gymnasium and taking a look at the sole survivor, now heavily re-purposed, of the original five Stanley Buildings.
Stanley Buildings were built in 1864–65 for the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company, a philanthropic predecessor of the housing association, at a time when concern about public health and housing conditions was very vocal. Although the flats were small, the five-storey buildings offered above-average accommodation for working people and were held in great affection.