Duke of York Square

Royal Borough of Chelsea

The Kings Road in Chelsea has always had an international
reputation as a fashion venue but was sadly lacking an open
space to act as a focus. The New Duke of York Square,
which opened in March 2003, forms the centrepiece of a
new commercial development, which has been designed in
close collaboration with the Royal Borough of Kensington
and Chelsea, and English Heritage to create over 6,000 sq m
of accessible pedestrianised Public Square.
The scheme was designed by Paul Davis & Partners in
conjunction with Elizabeth Banks Landscape Architects on land
previously owned The Ministry of Defence but purchased by
the Cadogan Estate in 1999. The project is a model of Urban
Regeneration and mixed use along the lines recommended
in ‘Designs for a Greater London’ published by GLA in 2001.
It creates a safe environment in an area well served by Public
Transport where the creation of new squares, streets and
pedestrian friendly areas has been of prime importance.
Several dramatic new buildings has also been created in this
extremely sensitive Historic Environment, including 30 affordable
flats above shops.
The potential difficult issue of vehicle deliveries was solved by
allocating an early morning time slot prior to opening the shops
at 10am.

• Architect: Paul Davis & Partners
• Landscape Architect: Elizabeth Banks Associates
• Structural Engineer: Adams Kara Taylor
• Services Engineers: WSP
• Quantity Surveyor: The Trevor Patrick Partnership
• Main Contractor: Laing Ltd