Construct - Issue 49

Project

SOHO

LOCATION

London’s Soho is one of the busiest areas of the entire capital. By day, it is home to businesses and shops, many servicing the creative industries, while its nightlife is famous the world over. This combination gives the district its excitement and buzz, but the sheer number of people living in, working in and visiting Soho can be a challenge when it comes to carrying out construction. “Footfall in the area is very high, and there are a lot of businesses that need access, meaning stakeholder engagement is really important,” says Mark Goudy, head of contracts at FM Conway, who led a major public realm project in the heart of Soho, which was completed in 2024. A LONDON THOROUGHFARE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTOANATTRACTIVE PEDESTRIANAREA THANKS TOACOMPLEX PUBLIC REALMPROJECT

The project focused on three roads: Manette Street, Greek Street and a section of Charing Cross Road. These roads abut a new mixed use development, Ilona Rose House, which was built recently by one of the area’s biggest property owners, Soho Estates. The developer’s planning permission from the City of Westminster included a Section 278 agreement to improve the public realm around the new building to reflect Westminster’s aims for the wider Soho area as well as matching Soho Estates’ aspirations for its new development. “Manette Street was previously a one way street running from Charing Cross Road, under the Pillars of Hercules pub to Greek Street,” explains Soho Estates head of investment and development Nick Lawson. “The City of Westminster wanted to pedestrianise the street and improve the public realm, which tied in with our vision for the road.” He adds: “It was in need of transformation, and is now a pleasant and inviting route into Soho.”

Russell Sq

Goodge St

Tottenham Court Rd

PROJECT LOCATION

Oxford St

Soho

Covent Garden

e s

Charing Cross

m

a

h

T

e r

Green Park

Waterloo

The Mall

R i v

6