Grosvenor Square Reopens As Landmark Urban Garden

The reopening marks the culmination of an almost decade-long journey led by Grosvenor to reimagine one of London’s most prominent public spaces. More than 7,000 people contributed to the design process, helping shape a garden that responds to the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.

The new landscape includes more than 150,000 plants and bulbs, 44 new trees and wetland habitats, with planting designed to evolve throughout the seasons. Soil health has also been improved across an area twice the size of a Wembley Stadium pitch. The soil can now absorb approximately 1.4 million litres of stormwater — equivalent to filling 28 London buses — helping the square respond to heavier rainfall and rising temperatures.

The redesigned square also features additional seating, water bottle filling fountains, public toilets, improved lighting and enhanced accessibility. It is step-free and wheelchair accessible. Its historic memorials, including the Roosevelt Memorial, Eagle Squadrons Monument and 9/11 Memorial, have been retained and enhanced within the new landscape.

A new education centre, operated by London Wildlife Trust and funded by The Westminster Foundation, will provide programmes focused on biodiversity, climate change and the history of Grosvenor Square.

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.”

Joe Lawlor, partner at G&T, said: “We were proud to support Grosvenor in delivering the transformation of one of London’s most significant garden squares. Working collaboratively with the wider project team, we helped manage the project’s cost and complexity while supporting its ambitious vision for a greener, more resilient public space.”

The transformation forms part of Grosvenor’s long-term commitment to creating vibrant and distinctive neighbourhoods across the West End.

^{All images: © Stuart Bailey Photography}