Bond Street is synonymous with British fashion, style and luxury, but in recent years, the quality of the outdoor environment along Bond Street had fallen out of step with the calibre of its buildings, retailers and international reputation. The arrival of the Elizabeth line in 2019 was set to significantly increase the number of pedestrians moving through Bond Street and the West End.

Publica was commissioned by Westminster City Council (WCC) to redesign Bond Street. Following a nine-month survey, we defined a vision for the area and developed a unified concept design that was delivered and completed in October 2018. Publica maintained the role of design guardian throughout the project, ensuring that the concept design translated into a public realm of the highest standard.

The project to transform Bond Street broke ground in April 2017 in a special event with representatives from the GLA, WCC, NWEC, the Bond Street Management Group and local business and neighbours. It was officially launched in October 2018 by Westminster Leader Nickie Aiken, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and Skills Jules Pipe, and hosted by NWEC Chairman Sir Peter Rogers and Chief Executive Jace Tyrrell.

Publica’s concept design for Bond Street was developed following our detailed audit and analysis of both the street and the wider neighbourhood. Existing street uses, routes, character, connections, material, architectural and spatial conditions and display windows, lighting and public art were carefully considered while anticipating the impact of new patterns of movement across the district.

The scheme is built from a carefully selected high quality material palette – York Stone, Portuguese silver granite and green and black stone paving – along with streamlined road signs and markings to create an improved streetscape. The design flexibly responds to the different functions and character areas along the street while balancing the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, cars, taxis and service vehicles. Wider footways and new crossings have been created to improve the visitor experience in anticipation of the increased footfall following the opening of the Elizabeth line. New street furniture, public seating, greenery and lighting accompany new public spaces and improved settings for public art. New timber and bronze benches have been designed by Publica and are now installed on Bond Street.

The design matches Bond Street’s public realm to its international reputation and builds a unique identity for Bond Street that is also integrated with Mayfair, the West End and Westminster as a whole.