Chelsea’s iconic Sloane Street is set for a £40 million botanical transformation to create a greener, more pleasant environment and secure its position as one of the world’s most famous luxury shopping destinations.
The huge public realm project will see pavements widened and resurfaced, new street furniture and extensive planting overseen by multiple Chelsea Flower Show award winner Andy Sturgeon to better absorb traffic pollution and other airborne pollutants.
Traffic calming measures and increased crossing points will be introduced to reduce high speeds, and in-depth traffic modelling will minimise the impact on vehicular flow.
As well as creating an elegant green boulevard, the masterplan will improve lighting to complement the distinctive architecture and introduce traditional Yorkstone and silver-grey granite to form a consistent palette to enrich the character of the street.
These proposals will strengthen Sloane Street’s position as a global destination for luxury retail and create an even more desirable environment for local residents and businesses,’ says Hugh Seaborn, CEO of Cadogan, a family run property manager and developer that overseas more than 90 acres of Chelsea and Knightsbridge.
‘We have seen major recent investment from many of the luxury houses on the Street – the new Balenciaga store opened earlier this year, alongside multi-million pound refits from Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Gucci, Fendi and Chanel – and our plans will create a seamless and inspiring environment whether in-store or travelling along the Street.
The project will be the most significant streetscape improvements for Sloane Street since it was originally commissioned by the 1st Earl Cadogan in the 18th Century.’
London Architects John McAslan + Partners, whose recent work includes the transformation of King’s Cross Station, have been appointed on the public realm masterplan, which is being undertaken by Cadogan in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.
The project will be the most significant streetscape improvements for Sloane Street since it was originally commissioned by the 1st Earl Cadogan in the 18th Century, which saw Henry Holland’s masterplan connect the King’s Road to Knightsbridge and the creation of ‘London Botanic Gardens’ (now Cadogan Place Gardens).
‘The planting draws the historic gardens out along the street to create a more uplifting atmosphere and visually rich environment,’ says Andy Sturgeon, landscape designer. ‘It will reflect and enhance the sumptuous, multi-layered experience found in the beautiful stores – taking “retail therapy” to another level!
‘The planting incorporates new and innovative species to London, in the spirit of Sir Hans Sloane, the renowned physician, collector and botanist from whom the Street takes its name.’
‘The planting will reflect and enhance the sumptuous, multi-layered experience found in the beautiful stores – taking “retail therapy’”to another level!’
The project, which follows the recent transformation of Pavilion Road, a mews running parallel to Sloane Street, was approved following a public consultation between 2016 and 2017, with 75% of respondents supporting the plans.
Work on the kilometre-long street will begin in autumn 2019, and is expected to be complete within three years.
See the full proposals online at sloanestreetfuture.co.uk
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