Strategy & Programmes

Public realm improvements with Grosvenor

£10 million partnership to improve public spaces

Three sites within Mayfair and Belgravia are set to be transformed as part of a unique £10 million deal between property company Grosvenor and the council:

• A stone’s throw from Oxford Street, Brown Hart Gardens - an elevated 10,000sq foot stone deck with two listed early 20th century domed features – will be opened up and revamped for the first time in 20 years for the area to become a distinctive destination;
• Just off Berkeley Square, Mount Street - boasting outstanding architecture and a redundant water feature in Carlos Place - will benefit from much improved public spaces, enhancing its reputation as a high quality shopping destination;
• Near Victoria Station, Elizabeth Street will benefit from wider pavements and a much improved pedestrian experience, fitting for a distinctive local retail destination which boasts fine buildings such as St Michael's Church.

Grosvenor, with its consultants Gehl Architects and BDP, has illustrated proposals that would significantly improve the visual amenity, usability, popularity and character of the streetscape around their landholdings.

To kick start these first three schemes, the council has set aside part of its business rates rebate from Central Government, awarded thanks to recent economic growth, to fund the works up front. Grosvenor will re-imburse the council in full once the schemes have been completed.

All the plans will be subject to public consultation and planning regulations and the council will continue to hold responsibility for maintenance of the enhanced streetscape using existing budgets.

This innovative agreement is intended to act as a model providing a mechanism to deliver specific public realm works that otherwise would have been impossible to fund.

For further information please contact:

Kate Smith, Senior Project Manager, at ksmith1@westminster.gov.uk