New Street Square
London
EC4A 3BF
Visitor Information
Architect: Bennetts Associates
Built: 2008
Size: 65,513m2
Awards: New City Architecture Award 2009 (Land Securities) / Civic Trust Award 2009 / RIBA Regional Award 2009 / Building ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ 2008 / Property Week ‘City Office Development of the Year’ 2008 / RTPI London Planning Awards ‘Best Built Project’ 2007
Developer: Land Securities
This area of the City of London has historically been a stronghold of the legal industry. However, the companies based here have diversified and this new mixed-use square hopes to create a buzzing and vibrant destination for workers. The development sees a quartet of contemporary buildings (one high-rise tower, two medium-rise atrium buildings and one low-rise block) linked together by landscaped walkways set around a new public space. Although the tallest element in the scheme is 18 storeys, the architects have designed buildings of varying heights to ensure that maximum sunlight penetrates the square.
The usual City-centre eateries and shops are here and a programme of public art and performance is run in the main spaces. The colour scheme of stone, glass and steel is softened by a growing green wall – a “modular panel system of weldmesh” – where plants are fed with an automatic irrigation system. The scheme aspires to improve on current energy regulations by 15%.