_Queensway transformation: £3bn overhaul plans unveiled, including 350 new homes

A £3bn transformation of London’s Queensway is set to take place as a new vision for the area’s future has been unveiled.

The overhaul of the area - located between Hyde Park and Notting Hill - will create a new, world-class district for living, shopping, dining and leisure. Restaurant pavilions, a series of landmark developments, and a new public entrance to Hyde Park are all part of the plans.

The changes will be delivered by the Queensway Joint Steering Committee in close consultation with Westminster City Council and TfL.

The major revamp will be bookmarked by landmark property developments including The Whiteley - the grand re-imagining of London’s first department store, Whiteleys. Another is Park Modern, a premium development with residences overlooking Hyde Park.

A new symbol for the area will be a series of Parisian-style pavilions, while currently underutilised side streets will be transformed from crammed parking spots to new retail and dining experiences.

Elegant glass pods, featuring copper frames and planting on top, will have destination cafés and dining with seating that can expand onto new courtyard areas, bringing al fresco living to the west London location.

Five key developments are proposed for the street:

1. At the south end of Queensway sits Park Modern, from Fenton Whelan. Work is underway on the project to deliver 52 new luxury apartments, three penthouses and two mews houses overlooking neighbouring Hyde Park.
   
   
2. Located opposite will be a new entrance to Kensington Gardens, with a new crossing and road junction connecting the high street to Hyde Park with an improved pedestrian crossing and a state-of-the-art traffic calming design.
   
   
3. Between Queensway and Bayswater Underground stations, the redevelopment of South Queensway -  including 68 new residential apartments and a new plaza at Princess Court - are being delivered by Bourne Capital.
   
   
4. Further north sits a new retail parade at North Queensway from GMS Estates.
   
   
5. At the north end of Queensway is The Whiteley, developed by MARK, CC Land and Finchatton with architecture by world leading practice Foster + Partners. Set to complete in late 2023, The Whiteley brings together new, modern architecture with retained and restored Grade II listed features, including the building’s entire frontage and iconic dome.
   
   Occupying over 1.1 million sq ft, The Whiteley provides 139 high specification residences, 20 new shops, cafes and restaurants, a cinema, state-of-the-art gym and London’s flagship Six Senses hotel and spa, offering 110 rooms, 14 Six Senses residences and a members’ social and wellness club.

The redevelopment plans mark the biggest investment Queensway has ever seen. Of the eight retail parades located in the area, five will be comprehensively regenerated, reinvigorating the retail tone of the street.

Of the 550 apartments currently in the Bayswater pipeline, 70% are focused on Queensway, and will reposition the area as a prime address in line with the local neighbourhoods adjoining Hyde Park.

The Queensway regeneration project will deliver a bold mix of reuse, restoration, new building additions, and re-greening. Not only delivering new buildings, the plans will also see the restoration of heritage buildings, support for existing businesses, the refurbishment of shop frontages, improved lighting, greening of rooftops, and improvements to both Queensway and Bayswater Underground stations.

An improved walking experience has been prioritised as part of the vision. Cutting down commuter traffic to one lane and reducing parking, the pavements will be widened and will incorporate large-scale planting, which will also double as new seating.

As one of London’s most well-situated high streets, this improved pedestrian journey will provide the perfect route to connect from Hyde Park to nearby Notting Hill, and the area’s myriad of canal walkways.

Public realm experts, Publica, renowned for projects that have transformed areas such as Marylebone and Mayfair, have been brought on board to deliver the major transformation. The masterplan of the streetscape has been designed by Burns and Nice, the practice behind both Exhibition Road and Mount Street.

Currently submitted for planning with Westminster Council, the project is scheduled to fully complete in 2026. Overall it will deliver 7 new buildings, over 350 new homes, 10,000 sq ft of new office space, 530 metres of refurbished shop fronts and 500 metres of new retail opportunities.

Alex Michelin of Finchatton, on behalf of the Queensway Joint Committee said: “We are delighted to present a comprehensive vision for the rejuvenation of this historic area of central London.

"This once in a lifetime regeneration of Queensway will deliver an entirely new experience for visitors and residents, including a re-greening of the streetscape, wider pavements, significant traffic reduction, improved street lighting and world-class new homes, shops, restaurants and public spaces.

"Through this major investment programme, Queensway will be reborn as a thriving, modern and vibrant living and leisure district; the high street of the future and a vital London destination.”

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