Grosvenor Square, Mayfair's oldest square, will reopen to the public on Monday July 20 following a £25 million transformation by its landlord, property giant Grosvenor. The 300-year-old park has been redesigned as a biodiversity haven, with plantings increased from less than 1 percent to almost 50 percent of the green space.
Key features of the makeover
The square now boasts 150,000 plants, bulbs and new trees, along with new woodlands and wetlands to support wildlife. For visitors, 300 places to sit have been added, along with public toilets, water fountains, improved lighting and CCTV. A new café kiosk will serve sandwiches, ice cream, cakes and coffee throughout the day.
An education centre has been installed, offering London Wildlife Trust programmes for children and adults to learn about biodiversity. Oval-shaped gardens, a feature dating back to the 1720s, have been reinstated as a nod to the square's history.
Memorials integrated into new layout
Existing memorials honouring Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Eagle Squadrons and the victims of 9/11 have been integrated into the new design. Grosvenor described the investment as 'the most significant private investment in West End public green space in a generation'.
The square closed on June 8 last year for the renovation. It is the second largest green space in the West End.
