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Covent Garden Master Plan
Covent Garden Master Plan
London, United Kingdom
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Other Projects by KPF (Kohn Pedersen Fox)
Covent Garden Master Plan
London, United Kingdom
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2012
SIZE
1,000,000 +
Over nearly two decades, KPF has contributed to the regeneration and conservation of Covent Garden in central London, taking on the roles of urban planner, strategist, and architect.
Although a renowned district with world-class assets such as the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden was in need of improvement when we first became engaged with it nearly two decades ago. Intensive tourism, public realm congestion, lack of maintenance, and outdated facilities had made this a part of London avoided by most Londoners. Our task was to improve the public realm and replace outdated buildings while conserving and repositioning the rich historic assets of the district.
Since the 17th century, Covent Garden has evolved and adapted to the changing needs of the city and its community. In the early 18th century, Covent Garden was home to the rarefied atmosphere of London's first residential square, surrounded by arcades. During this time Covent Garden juxtaposed high culture and trade with the presence of the Royal Opera House and the fruit and vegetable market. During the 19th century, Covent Garden became an increasingly busy market-oriented space. The fruit and vegetable market, that had defined Covent Garden for decades, closed in the 1970s.
Prior to KPF's involvement, Covent Garden's markets were chaotic spaces of commerce, resulting in a public realm that was not pedestrian friendly. Since 2006, when our client purchased the estate, KPF has worked on a series of projects and studies that have helped to shape the vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that exists today.
Unlike a traditional, linear, high street, Covent Garden is a complex network of spaces, offering a variety of experiences: from the elegant breadth of the piazza and stucco-fronted King Street; to the narrower, industrial texture of Floral Street; and the confined nature of historic alleys. Over the past 20 years, KPF has utilized several specific strategies to improve the public realm while amplifying its historic charm.
Clearly marked entry points, or gateways, clearly define the Covent Garden district, further establishing its brand as a destination for Londoners and tourists alike. Plenty of greenery, especially around public seating and outdoor restaurant spaces, has helped bring the garden back to Covent Garden. Several notable spatial moments, follies and animation, have been created or enhanced as a part of the re-activation of the public realm. The creation of new pedestrian routes and courtyards, or passages, has improved permeability and established links to neighboring districts, while also alleviating congestion and increasing retail frontages. Recognizing their hidden potential, several found spaces have been carved out from the solid blocks, creating suitable spaces for residential communities. Where outdated buildings were deemed non-contributing, new landmarks of contemporary architecture have been stitched into the historic context, creating a neighborhood that is at once old and new.
The plan defined new ways to navigate this network, providing north-south routes for pedestrians through courtyards and dual frontages in addition to setting up a series of "events" to encourage people to explore quieter roads. This finely-grained, north-south texture disrupts the historical east-west dominance of movement, allowing people to traverse the area in loops. Contrasts are created between open and confined, busy and quiet, that hold attention and provide places to dwell.
Now, as much as ever, Covent Garden is considered London's premier shopping, entertainment, and lifestyle district, ever-regenerating yet rooted in centuries of history.
Home to some of London's premier public spaces, these 17 streets and one piazza have been maintained and enhanced under KPF's two decades of stewardship.
Although a renowned district with world-class assets such as the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden was in need of improvement when we first became engaged with it nearly two decades ago. Intensive tourism, public realm congestion, lack of maintenance, and outdated facilities had made this a part of London avoided by most Londoners. Our task was to improve the public realm and replace outdated buildings while conserving and repositioning the rich historic assets of the district.
Since the 17th century, Covent Garden has evolved and adapted to the changing needs of the city and its community. In the early 18th century, Covent Garden was home to the rarefied atmosphere of London's first residential square, surrounded by arcades. During this time Covent Garden juxtaposed high culture and trade with the presence of the Royal Opera House and the fruit and vegetable market. During the 19th century, Covent Garden became an increasingly busy market-oriented space. The fruit and vegetable market, that had defined Covent Garden for decades, closed in the 1970s.
Prior to KPF's involvement, Covent Garden's markets were chaotic spaces of commerce, resulting in a public realm that was not pedestrian friendly. Since 2006, when our client purchased the estate, KPF has worked on a series of projects and studies that have helped to shape the vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that exists today.
Unlike a traditional, linear, high street, Covent Garden is a complex network of spaces, offering a variety of experiences: from the elegant breadth of the piazza and stucco-fronted King Street; to the narrower, industrial texture of Floral Street; and the confined nature of historic alleys. Over the past 20 years, KPF has utilized several specific strategies to improve the public realm while amplifying its historic charm.
Clearly marked entry points, or gateways, clearly define the Covent Garden district, further establishing its brand as a destination for Londoners and tourists alike. Plenty of greenery, especially around public seating and outdoor restaurant spaces, has helped bring the garden back to Covent Garden. Several notable spatial moments, follies and animation, have been created or enhanced as a part of the re-activation of the public realm. The creation of new pedestrian routes and courtyards, or passages, has improved permeability and established links to neighboring districts, while also alleviating congestion and increasing retail frontages. Recognizing their hidden potential, several found spaces have been carved out from the solid blocks, creating suitable spaces for residential communities. Where outdated buildings were deemed non-contributing, new landmarks of contemporary architecture have been stitched into the historic context, creating a neighborhood that is at once old and new.
The plan defined new ways to navigate this network, providing north-south routes for pedestrians through courtyards and dual frontages in addition to setting up a series of "events" to encourage people to explore quieter roads. This finely-grained, north-south texture disrupts the historical east-west dominance of movement, allowing people to traverse the area in loops. Contrasts are created between open and confined, busy and quiet, that hold attention and provide places to dwell.
Now, as much as ever, Covent Garden is considered London's premier shopping, entertainment, and lifestyle district, ever-regenerating yet rooted in centuries of history.
Home to some of London's premier public spaces, these 17 streets and one piazza have been maintained and enhanced under KPF's two decades of stewardship.
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