Sloane Square completion unveils a more beautiful, welcoming and accessible London landmark
This week marks the completion of Sloane Square’s public realm project creating a more beautiful, welcoming and accessible landmark. It is the final part of a three-year £60 million investment in two major destinations, which began with the award-winning transformation of Sloane Street into a 1km green boulevard and has culminated with significant enhancements to Sloane Square.
The project – funded by Cadogan and delivered in partnership with Kensington and Chelsea Council – follows extensive community consultation and dramatically elevates one of London’s most iconic squares, while preserving its historic character. Pavements have been significantly widened, street clutter reduced and pedestrian crossings realigned to improve accessibility and flow, ensuring the Square works better for all who use it. Quality materials and heritage detailing now further enrich the Square’s unique character, including the use of traditional Yorkstone (reusing paving materials from the recent Sloane Street transformation), improved dual-height lighting to complement the predominantly Edwardian and Victorian architecture and lamp posts with cast-iron embellishments inspired by nearby ‘temple to the arts and crafts’ Holy Trinity Church.
Recognised as one of London’s most beautiful-paved squares, Sloane Square is a key intersection where the King’s Road meets Sloane Street. For generations, it has been a hub of fashion, art and architecture, anchoring a constellation of cultural landmarks including the Royal Court Theatre, Saatchi Gallery, Cadogan Hall and the iconic Peter Jones department store, distinguished by its sweeping art‑deco façade.
Beyond the public realm improvements, Sloane Square is undergoing a wider evolution with exciting new fashion and food openings. Highly-acclaimed new Italian trattoria Martino’s opened in November; Brasserie Olivia will open in Summer as the first restaurant outside France for La Nouvelle Garde, along with a new neighbourhood pub from The Wren Group. ‘Summer in Sloane Square’ will return to the Square itself from 1st May, providing further al fresco dining in collaboration with The Royal Court Theatre. New fashion arriving on the Square includes the first physical store for chic London-based accessories brand DeMellier and a new 5,000 sq ft space for Ralph Lauren, opening opposite their existing store.
Hugh Seaborn, Chief Executive of Cadogan, said: “Sloane Square serves both as a gateway to and heart of Chelsea, as thousands of people pass through it every day. Completing these works marks a major milestone in our long-term commitment to Chelsea, building on the transformation of Sloane Street and delivering lasting benefits for the community. The public realm improvements, together with exciting new places to eat, drink and shop, is a reimagining of one of London’s most beautiful squares – ensuring it is more welcoming, accessible, vibrant and enticing.”
To celebrate the completion, artist and poet LionHeart was commissioned to capture the neighbourhood’s distinctive character and spirit in a piece named ‘Chelsea Muse’, performed on stage at The Royal Court for a gathering of partners from the local community. LionHeart’s work explores the emotional relationship between architecture, memory and place and he has been awarded an Honorary Fellow of RIBA for his contribution to architecture.