Grosvenor Square, one of central London's oldest and most famous public spaces, will reopen to the public on Monday following a £25 million transformation. The square has been closed for a year while extensive development work took place.
New Features and Biodiversity
The revamped square now boasts more than 150,000 new plants and 44 new trees, along with winding paths, an education centre run by London Wildlife, and a new cafe kiosk. Two new wetland areas and 300 additional seats have also been installed. Wildlife is already returning, with ducks, butterflies, and dragonflies spotted in recent weeks.
The traditional manicured grass and intersecting tarmac paths have been replaced with what those behind the project describe as a “biodiverse haven”. Elements of the landscaping draw inspiration from the square's original design.
Stormwater Management and Climate Adaptation
The square can now absorb up to 1.4 million litres of stormwater at a time, helping to mitigate urban flooding. Jamie Whitty-Lewis, chief executive of Grosvenor Property UK, said: “We've truly revitalised it into a really special garden now. We are feeling the summers getting warmer and the winters getting wetter. The planting here has a cooling effect, so you'll feel right now it's actually quite cool here under the shade of the trees.”
Lead landscape architect Chris Stanton called the project an “extraordinary transformation”, adding: “What we've managed to do is introduce a bit of the countryside back into the West End.”
Historical Context and Ownership
Owned by the Grosvenor Group, the Duke of Westminster's private property company, Grosvenor Square closed last June for its fourth major redesign since its construction in the first half of the 18th century. First laid out in the 1720s, the square was originally reserved for residents until it opened to the public after the Second World War. The US Embassy overlooked the square between 1938 and 2018, and it hosted numerous protests, including against the Vietnam War.
During the opening ceremony, the Duke of Westminster said: “We wanted a place that basically people came and stopped and were able to relax and sit, find their own space, be curious throughout the square, and enjoy it. I hope the way we've designed Grosvenor Square presents an opportunity for people just to relax a bit and find their own little area to sit away and have a moment to themselves.”
