In a stunning new makeover, London’s most popular shopping area, Regent Street, will take inspiration from Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Seville.
In an announcement on Tuesday (January 30), Westminster Council and The Crown Estate unveiled their “Regent Street Public Realm Vision,” which includes plans to make more way for cyclists and pedestrians in an effort to reduce traffic in Central London. Areas such as Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket and some parts of Pall Mall will also be renovated as part of the project.
The council and The Crown Estate are seeking design inspiration from cyclist-friendly cities in Europe as well as famous shopping streets such as Champs-Élysées in Paris, La Rambla in Barcelona and Mariahilfer Strasse in Vienna. In a report presented to the cabinet on, the Council outlined its goal to take ambitious action on climate change and become a net zero Council by 2030 and a net zero city by 2040.
The report further outlined how the Council’s ultimate hopes are to design and deliver a “public realm” project that connects St. James’s Park to Regents Park to encourage and bring forward a “new green and active travel ‘spine’” through the heart of the West End. The council presented this idea inspired by the famous architect John Nash who envisioned a ‘park-to-park’ connection’ where Regents Park would connect with St. James’s Park.
In the report, the council stated: “Residents, workers and visitors are enabled and are encouraged to travel through Westminster in more active and sustainable ways.”
A representative from The Crown Estate further added: “This report brings us a step closer to realising our collective ambitions for this historic street.”
On Monday (January 29) night the Town Hall signed off for the first round of funding for the project to proceed, this cost will be split equally between the council and The Crown Estate.
