New Street Square
London, UK
In 2023, MRG Studio won a design competition to design the refurbishment of this square, introducing more planting and seating into the space, allow more flexibility for events and provide open space to support our city's return to retail and healthy workplaces after the pandemic.
Image: Luke Hayes
The public realm has been carefully crafted to enhance ecology and improve connectivity. The planting strategy, informed by the site’s microclimates and constraints presented by existing structures, will enhance each area with distinctive colour, seasonality and biodiversity. This approach will enrich the site's a distinct identity and sense of place, with subtle nods to the site’s history and townscape.
New — and more inclusive — seating will enable more people to enjoy the open space. Where possible, we are re-using materials from the existing square in the refurbishment to reduce waste and carbon spends.
Full planning approval was granted in November 2024, paving the way for the transformation of this elegant public square in the City of London into a richly planted urban oasis. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2025.