FLEET STREET QUARTER’S ERA OF CHANGE A radical new place-making and public realm vision has today been revealed by the Fleet Street Quarter BID, representing over 350 businesses across a 43 hectare footprint of the western part of the City. The proposed strategy could be the biggest transformation that this part of the City has seen since Bazalgette Embankment 150 years ago. This estimated £80 million strategic vision could see the public realm transform over the next decade to meet increasing demands from businesses, occupiers, residents, and visitors. An investment which would mirror the area’s extensive development pipeline totalling £5 billion, which includes ground-breaking schemes including the City of London’s new Justice Quarter at Salisbury Square. The proposed vision seeks to maximise the potential for Fleet Street in line with the area’s new designation in the City of London’s ‘Local Plan’ as a Key Area of Change.  For 2000 years, the Fleet Street Quarter area has shown an extraordinary capacity for re-invention, with this next period of evolution set to be the most radical yet. The proposed 10 year public realm vision identifies 34 public realm opportunities that could be seen across the 43 hectare area. The Fleet Street Quarter BID commissioned global architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler, Norman Rourke Pryme and UP Projects to develop this new vision for the area, in consultation with the City of London and other key stakeholders and businesses. The strategy titled ‘Fleet Street Quarter’s Era of Change’, was launched today at an event to over 100 business and stakeholders from across the Fleet Street Quarter area. A key commitment in its BID Proposal, the proposed vision aims to deliver an attractive and sustainable community for workers, visitors and residents, supporting local business growth in the area over the next ten years. The 34 identified opportunities will result in improvements to reconnect the area, enhance movement and walkability, address issues of legibility, and provide green spaces and amenities for people to enjoy. The ambitious vision targets a more unified and improved experience for the Fleet Street Quarter area. The Fleet Street Quarter Era of Change vision highlights the following improvements: The proposed public realm vision is intended to support the re-positioning of the Fleet Street Quarter area as a key contributor to the City of London’s economy. Green shoots are already emerging in the Fleet Street Quarter area, as it looks to develop its support of the local economy. Since 2018, the total number of jobs in the area has grown by 5.9%, with GVA per worker increasing by 13% in the same period. The Fleet Street Quarter Era of Change Strategy targets an improved experience for retail and leisure, discovery and work, a blend identified by Gensler’s recent City Pulse Index Findings as criteria for a great Central Business District (CBD) experience. The proposed widening of the pavements on Fleet Street and the Holborn Forest scheme would improve the streetscape and offer green spaces where residents and visitors can relax in nature – both key physical improvements desired by respondents in the City Pulse Index Findings. This ambition to re-invigorate this area and transform it into a thriving retail and leisure destination is further amplified in the City of London’s City Plan, where it highlights the need for the creation of more distinct retail and leisure mix, using heritage assets, meanwhile uses and development opportunities to enliven the area and create more continuous active frontages. The first design ideas were revealed today and are subject to further development and consultation with City of London Corporation, Transport for London and key stakeholders and businesses in the area. Key locations for hero opportunities: Fleet Street – Major transformation project to widen the pedestrian footpath, plant new trees and introduce new greening and seating. Holborn Circus – Creating an urban forest and increased public accessibility. Providing pop-up facilities and introducing art installations. Increase the variety of seating areas for workers, visitors and local residents to enjoy. Holborn Viaduct – Creating a new gateway to the area from Farringdon Station and the new Museum of London with the creation of art installations and an infographic that celebrates the history of the Fleet River. Ludgate Circus – Improving pedestrian accessibility across Ludgate Circus through the introduction of a diagonal crossing and widened footpaths. Enhancement to pedestrian experience by creating new seating, planting new greenery and improve wayfinding. Blackfriars Gateway – Transforming the existing underpass and traffic islands to allow for additional planting, seating and introducing art installations to improve the gateway experience Following the adoption by the Fleet Street Quarter BID and its members, the strategy will also be used to start discussions and facilitate decision making with stakeholders in the area including City of London, Transport for London, developers, businesses, residents, institutions, and community groups. Improved public realm will support the local economy by creating opportunities for events, markets and cultural activities, drawing visitors to the area. The activation of the Fleet Street Quarter area’s alleys, squares and public spaces is already underway. Through an activated programme of seasonal marketing campaigns including an area wide lighting scheme for Christmas due to launch this year to animate the spaces and attract new audiences to the area. The overall mission of the ‘Fleet Street Quarter Era of Change’ strategy is to develop a vision and framework to support the development pipeline over the next decade To drive further growth in the area the City of London in its new ‘Local Plan’ identifies the area as a Key Area of Change and the Fleet Valley as an area for tall buildings. The report runs alongside the City of London’s draft Fleet Street Healthy Streets Plan, which maps out an integrated approach to improving the public realm and managing traffic and to support the delivery of the City of London’s new Transport Strategy outcomes in the area. In collaboration with VuCity, the Fleet Street Quarter BID also unveiled 3D modelling showcasing how buildings, street furniture and roads could develop

St Helier’s Waterfront ‘Horizon’ development is now completed. The development comprises 280 apartments and 12 commercial units. Completion was reached when the third and final building, ‘Horizon West’ was handed over to its new apartment owners at the end of October. The three Horizon development buildings (West, South and East) are situated on the last remaining marina plot alongside the Radisson Hotel and Castle Quay residential development. The 280 one, two and three bedroom residential apartments have been successfully delivered by Jersey Development Company (JDC) the Government of Jersey’s regeneration arm and joint venture partner Groupe Legendre . The concept and design were created by one of the world’s leading international architecture firms, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM). Horizon has also created new areas of public realm, including two new pedestrian streets that help enhance vibrancy and connectivity to the Waterfront promenades, Elizabeth Marina and new alfresco dining areas which form part of new landscaped areas. 76 apartments have been purchased by first-time buyers. Of those, 72 were able to secure their first home using JDC’s First-Time Buyer monthly deposit payment plan. The payment plan offered first-time buyers the opportunity to secure an apartment with an initial £2,000 reservation fee, and the balance of the 10% deposit paid in monthly instalments over the build programme enabling locally qualified purchasers the ability to secure their home, while renting or still living with parents. To date, the scheme has helped 117 buyers purchase their first home. Lee Henry, CEO of Jersey Development Company said: “We are delighted Horizon is now completed and we are in the enviable position of having secured legally binding pre-sales on 98% of the residential units with only six remaining available to purchase. The 280 new homes, retail and hospitality space, plus new areas of generous public realm will provide further footfall and vibrancy to the Waterfront area. We’ve received some fantastic testimonials from home owners, in particular first-time buyers who are delighted to have secured their first home and pleased with the exceptional quality of the development, the size of their home and the finishes and fixtures. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Joint Venture partner Groupe Legendre for their unwavering commitment throughout this challenging journey which entailed navigating a series of unforeseen events leading to various delays that had to be overcome.” Luc Richard, Director of Groupe Legendre’s Jersey office said: “Horizon marks a significant milestone on St Helier’s Waterfront, and we are thrilled to see the completion of this ambitious development. The collaboration between Jersey Development Company and Groupe Legendre has resulted in the successful delivery of 280 exceptional homes and vibrant commercial spaces. We are proud to have played a role in shaping the dynamic and vibrant community that the Waterfront has become. As the ground-level commercial spaces are now ready for occupation, we eagerly anticipate Horizon evolving into Jersey’s newest and most exciting lifestyle hub, solidifying its place as a testament to growth and innovation in the heart of St Helier.” The ground-level commercial spaces within Horizon are now ready for occupation. The commercial space offers 12 food, beverage and retail establishments with four units having the benefit of alfresco dining areas. Five of these units have either been secured or are currently under negotiations with potential tenants. JDC is delighted to announce that furniture and home accessories company TLC Home has been confirmed as the inaugural commercial tenant to occupy one of the spaces at Horizon South. This reflects a strong belief in the Waterfront area’s potential as a dynamic and vibrant community, making it poised to become Jersey’s newest and exciting lifestyle hub. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals