Redevelopment of former Duke of York’s HQ to create first new public square in London’s West End for over a century. An award-winning masterplan with retail, F&B and Saatchi Gallery.

Redevelopment of the former Duke of York’s headquarters on the King’s Road (a private MOD base), to create the first new public square in London’s West End for more than a century. This award winning and highly regarded masterplan creates a new and dynamic public realm with public squares, retail quarter, offices, community facilities and the Saatchi Gallery.

Originally built as a school for military orphans in 1801, it was acquired by Cadogan in 1998 and redeveloped into a shopping and dining destination, fusing classic architecture with contemporary design.

Previously, much of the site was dominated by an inaccessible car park. The context-sensitive design approach therefore focused on drawing pedestrian footfall into the square with a mixed-use development arranged around a series of public spaces.

The retail mix now offers 33 stores, including one of Zara’s largest European stores, alongside flagships for British Jewellery Monica Vinader and cult beauty brand Aesop.

The Square is also a gourmet destination, offering seven restaurants and cafes all with extensive outdoor space and hosting one of London’s best open air fine food markets every Saturday on the large, open piazza along with regular public art activations. The green is home to frequent free outdoor yoga and weekly running classes.

Recent additions include a new restaurant at the heart of the central piazza. A competition was held for architects around the world to submit their vision for the space - of over 150 entries, the winners were Nex with a truly striking building in keeping with the heritage architecture which surrounds it. It features the UK’s first fully retractable curved windows, which, when lowered into the basement, create a seamless indoor/outdoor dining experience.

Planning has just been achieved (2024) to unlock further private space and convert it into a third public square with outdoor dining.