The opening of the Elizabeth Line Bond Street East station at Hanover Square will transform the character of the area and dramatically change pedestrian movements. The over-station development includes a new courtyard space and opens connections between Hanover Square, Tenterden Street and Bond Street.

Great Portland Estates commissioned Publica to work alongside architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands (LDS) to advise on the integration of the masterplan into the surrounding area, develop the public realm strategy and set detailed design principles for the new courtyard and streets.

We produced a detailed evidence base that included a survey of local character and patterns of use, an analysis of Westminster’s policy guidance, and a series of comparative local and international case studies. 

The strategy outlined how this new public space can become a complementary amenity to Hanover Square, a unique place with a distinctive character that benefits from a quiet location and a rich heritage context. Publica’s contributions formed an important part of the project’s planning submissions in May 2011 and December 2014. The masterplan for the courtyard received planning approval from Westminster City Council, and officers and members of the planning committee commended the high quality of the public realm strategy.

Our work on this project led to us developing concept design proposals for Hanover Square itself, supported by GPE, and later adopted and delivered with Westminster City Council. 

The opening of the Elizabeth Line Bond Street East station at Hanover Square will transform the character of the area and dramatically change pedestrian movements. The over-station development includes a new courtyard space and opens connections between Hanover Square, Tenterden Street and Bond Street.

Great Portland Estates commissioned Publica to work alongside architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands (LDS) to advise on the integration of the masterplan into the surrounding area, develop the public realm strategy and set detailed design principles for the new courtyard and streets.

We produced a detailed evidence base that included a survey of local character and patterns of use, an analysis of Westminster’s policy guidance, and a series of comparative local and international case studies. 

Building from this intelligence base, we outlined a set of recommendations for future uses and programmes within the new courtyard space, together with planting, art and lighting strategies, also working with an arboricultural consultant to develop a detailed tree planting strategy. We worked closely with LDS throughout with an iterative design workshop process.

The strategy outlined how this new public space can become a complementary amenity to Hanover Square, a unique place with a distinctive character that benefits from a quiet location and a rich heritage context. Publica’s contributions formed an important part of the project’s planning submissions in May 2011 and December 2014. The masterplan for the courtyard received planning approval from Westminster City Council, and officers and members of the planning committee commended the high quality of the public realm strategy.

Our work on this project led to us developing concept design proposals for Hanover Square itself, supported by GPE, and later adopted and delivered with Westminster City Council.