MAYFAIR'S FIRST GARDEN SQUARE: HANOVER SQUARE'S TRANSFORMATION
November 2022
LDS, No. 20 & 18 Hanover Square, Copyright: Paul RIddle
In late October, locals, workers and visitors entered the new Elizabeth Line Bond Street station Eastern ticket hall in the newly transformed Hanover Square. 18 Hanover Square, a new 9-storey building, stands on its west side, and beneath it, the new Elizabeth Line station. Pedestrians can now walk from Hanover Square to New Bond Street through a colonnade and Medici Courtyard. Hanover Square, with newly landscaped gardens, is a new green space for all to enjoy - and the first public courtyard to have been created in Mayfair for 100 years!
LDS, Hanover Square | Copyright: Paul Riddle
The new Hanover development is the result of 15 years’ of hard work by GPE and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands (LDS), including a refurbishment of the historic façades of New Bond Street and a new one. Conceived over a decade ago, sustainability is of huge importance to Hanover. Think biodiversity and new habitats with green roofs, soft landscaping, a subterranean cycle store for 200 bikes, bird and insect hibernation boxes and bat roosts.
LDS, 4 Medici Court, Hanover Square, credit: Jack Hobhouse
Mayfair history buffs will be aware that Hanover Square, built between 1714 and 1720, was heavily bombed during the Second World War. Originally build as a development of prestigious homes for generals and statesmen, only two of Hanover Square’s original townhouses now remain (sob). This includes 20 Hanover Square, part of the project. Once one of Mayfair’s most gracious public squares, Hanover Square grew to become a high traffic area, lacking serenity and greenery. We are very pleased that this is no longer the case.
No. 18 Hanover Square reception, Copyright: Paul Riddle
Paul Sandilands, Director at LDS, says, ‘This project for GPE has provided a wonderful opportunity to rethink completely a 1.3 acre urban block and enhance the Mayfair Conservation Area. Each piece of the jigsaw has provided a particular opportunity: installing a new landmark office building on an historic square above a Crossrail station; refurbishing and repurposing a very special Grade II*-listed Georgian townhouse - now Jimmy Choo’s London Fashion Academy and MAINE Mayfair restaurant.”
“Almost the entire eastern flank of New Bond Street round to Brook Street has been upgraded, scrupulously restoring period façades with shops that meet Mayfair standards at lower floors and offices and apartments above. As important as the buildings are, the most critical challenge was making the block permeable with attractive, walkable cross routes and a delightful new public space, Medici Courtyard, at its heart.”
Andrew White, Development Director, GPE, says “Located between the revitalised Hanover Square and globally-renowned New Bond Street, Hanover is a world-class scheme that has been designed to offer best-in-class urban spaces with prime access to the new Elizabethan line. The leasing success speaks volumes to the quality of the space we’ve created at Hanover with key occupiers now including: KKR, Glencore, London Fashion Academy by Jimmy Choo, The MAINE Mayfair, Canali and Pronovias.”
“We worked hard with LDS to create modern space whilst maintaining many original features within the buildings to highlight the development’s iconic heritage, which includes a beautiful retail arcade that our customers can enter on New Bond Street and walk through to Medici Courtyard, one of the first public courtyards to open in Mayfair for more than a century, and are thrilled with the result.”
Ian McCarter, Co Head London Office Leasing at Knight Frank, said: “LDS’s work on Hanover, brings to market high-quality office space with spacious terraces and outdoor space, as well as some of the capital’s finest restaurants, cafés and shops right on its doorstep. The area is well connected and will soon benefit from the opening of Crossrail’s new Bond Street station, bringing major additional footfall. This is an excellent example of the first-class and well appointed office space that discerning businesses continue to look for.”
Peter Wetherell of Wetherell Property, said: “With the addition of the Hanover, GPE and LDS are returning north Mayfair to its former glory. Which is why KKR chose to create its cathedral offices here. With the impressive new Maine restaurant at the newly restored 20 Hanover Square, food and beverage will lead us out of the pandemic and tourism and retail will bounce back.”
