Sloane Street transformation complete

Sloane Street today marks the completion of a grand transformation that further reinforces its position as one of the world’s leading luxury destinations. The most significant streetscape improvements in almost 250 years, since it was originally commissioned by the 1^st Earl Cadogan in the 18^th century, the project – funded by Cadogan and delivered in partnership with Kensington and Chelsea Council – has created a stunning green 1km long boulevard spanning from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square.

The £46million investment includes significant widening of the Street’s pavements, along with a magnificent planting scheme, elegant street furniture and enhanced lighting to create a more welcoming environment for pedestrians.

After more than a decade of planning and extensive public consultation, it was formally completed at a ceremony today as Lord Cadogan and Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, laid the final commemorative stone.

Hugh Seaborn, Chief Executive of Cadogan, comments: “This project marks a new era for Sloane Street, enhancing its elegance and timeless appeal as the epitome of a luxury destination that is equally ‘global yet local’ and will entice new visitors, while enriching the experience for the local community.

The ‘new’ Sloane Street is defined by tradition and innovation, amplifying its inherent craftmanship, creativity and heritage. It seamlessly connects the experience created by the world’s most iconic fashion houses in-store out into the public realm. Every aspect has been meticulously considered, including the exact hue of Yorkstone that ensures the Street feels warm and welcomes everyone, residents and visitors alike.”

Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “As we aim to make and keep our borough’s streets the best in London, the new and improved Sloane Street is the standout example in our amazing spaces programme. This corner of Chelsea has always been very special – with a shopping experience to rival Paris and New York. Now it is even better, with spacious pavements and beautiful greenery creating a street that makes you want to stick around and enjoy the area. We are fortunate to have Cadogan as a partner, working with the Council to make these improvements happen.”

John McAslan, Chair of John McAslan + Partners, adds: “Transforming this iconic street has been an exhilarating urban design endeavour. Sloane Street’s generous width and architectural asymmetry allowed us to craft a grand boulevard with a dynamic, people-centric vision. Blending contextual sensitivity with bold creativity, we have enhanced well-being, increased dwell time, strengthened security, and eased traffic impact. Green infrastructure and a horticulturally driven design enrich biodiversity and ensure a lasting environmental legacy. The result is a dramatically elevated public realm – offering residents, visitors, and businesses an exceptional experience, now rivalling the grandeur of Avenue Montaigne in Paris and Via Condotti in Rome”.

Finest materials and heritage craftsmanship

Blending timeless elegance and heritage craftsmanship with modern functionality and a contemporary sensibility, the masterplan was overseen by John McAslan + Partners. A bespoke palette of materials provides the street with a unified identity.

Traditional honey-hued Yorkstone (cut from a new seam in the quarry to ensure uniformity the full length of the Street) brings warmth to the pavements which have been expanded by 23 percent, while luxurious silver-grey granite and bespoke brass studs demarcate reconfigured parking and loading bays. As well as offering informal inbuilt seating, striking handcrafted granite planters act as a physical buffer between traffic and pedestrians while serving as a discreet security measure.

Artisan ironworkers designed the dual-height lighting columns, with cast-iron embellishment inspired by ‘temple to the arts and crafts’ Holy Trinity Church on Sloane Street. The enhanced lighting scheme by Spiers Major complements the distinctive architecture (spanning Georgian to Pont Street Dutch and mid-century modern) and offers both functional lighting and aesthetic harmony for traffic and pedestrians, with the design reflecting the neighbourhood’s character.

Sustainability is at the heart of the scheme, with UK sourced stone providing the majority of hardscape materials and a palette of drought-resistant plants used in the greening strategy. State of the art LED lighting technology will reduce energy consumption while creating a safer night-time environment for residents and pedestrians. Active travel is supported through widened pavements and raised tables at side-streets which improves north-south pedestrian movement. Traffic calming measures, beautifully engraved wayfinding stones and increased crossing points have been introduced to support navigation and improve the pedestrian experience, while in-depth traffic modelling has ensured that vehicular flow will not be impacted. Significant new infrastructure has been installed to improve and future-proof digital connectivity for the neighbourhood.

Enhancing Chelsea’s horticultural heritage

Conceived by multiple Chelsea Flower Show winner Andy Sturgeon, a magnificent, layered greening scheme has introduced more than 100 new trees, extending the beauty of the private seven acres of Cadogan Place Gardens at the heart of the Street along the pavements, connecting the natural and urban landscapes.

The planting follows a ‘royal’ colour palette of rich maroons, reds, purples and blues for the diverse and climate resilient mix of flowers, shrubs and other drought-resistant species from Mediterranean climates, and will offer year-round splendour with spring flowers, summer berries, autumn colour and a sculptural branch structure in winter.

Luxury retail and hospitality investment

Recently, a spate of new openings include British brand Temperley London, a spectacular new townhouse from Valentino and significantly upsized new stores for Brunello Cucinelli, Dior, Bottega Venetta and Saint Laurent. Luxury design and fragrance brand L’Objet opens their only UK store on Sloane Street this week and cult brand Zimmerman are due to open in Spring, alongside a fresh new direction for Harvey Nichols as an anchor at the North end of the Street. Walpole, the body representing British luxury, relocated and opened their ‘Townhouse’ steps from Sloane Street last year.

This complements Cadogan’s focus on enticing new places to eat, drink and stay which includes recent partnerships with Belmond, Beaverbrook, Jean-Louis Costes and Iconic Luxury Hotels to manage properties on the Street or close by, as well as the creation of extensive new restaurant space including openings from the famed Italian winemaking Antinori family, David Yeo and Jason Atherton.

The ceremony today marks the start of a consumer launch programme, a series of events and cultural partnerships that will bring the newly transformed Street to life throughout 2025 and beyond.