The Great and the Good of Chelsea (and some of its most esteemed infantry) turned up for the topping out ceremony to celebrate the end of the transformational design works along Sloane Street.

Lord Cadogan – Edward Chelsea, the 9th Earl – and Mrs Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, led the ceremony with the “troweling in” of a stunningly carved commemorative pavement slab. It marked the end of £46m investment by Cadogan Estates and the first major works on the 1km street in 250 years.

The Citizen was not in attendance (surely a PR department glitch), so full details of the day’s events are lost to history. However, an enthusiastic ‘citizen reporter’ filed a (frankly, disappointing) despatch from inside the velvet rope.

The celebration party gathered outside Hermes, the French fashion house and supplier of all Citizen pocket squares, where Cadogan Estates Chief Executive Hugh Seaborn gave a speech. The exact details of his comments were, alas, not recorded accurately, but he remarked upon the completion of a quest to turn Sloane Street into one of the”great boulevards of the world” and to create a “green street”.

In an official statement released earlier, Mr Seaborne had said: ‘These design works strengthen Sloane Street’s position as a global destination for luxury retail and create an even more desirable environment for local residents and businesses – a seamless and inspiring environment, whether in-store or travelling along the street.’

The party then rejoiced at the sight of Lord Cadogan and Mrs Campbell falling to their knees in honour of the commercial gods who rule over Sloane Street. They then deftly trowelled in wet cement to fix the commemorative flag stone in place.

 

The party of some 80 guests then ambled across the street to The Cadogan Hotel for a reception of champagne and canapes and further speeches. Lord Cadogan addressed the gathering, as did an executive from revered architects John McAslan + Partners. Again, the details of the speeches were poorly noted by our correspondent, who was more dedicated to the pursuit of free-flowing champagne.

The scheme features a rich palette of Yorkstone that was specifically chosen to add “warmth” to the area, as well as new trees and extensive planting which was overseen by Chelsea Flower Show award winner Andy Sturgeon. Significantly wider pavements, traffic-calming measures, more crossing points, improved lighting and new street furniture have been installed to ensure “a more pleasurable experience for pedestrians”. Much was made of the works that had been undertaken beneath the surface to make Sloane Street fit for purpose for the 21st century shoppers.

Chairman John McAslan had said in an earlier statement: ‘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.’

 

All photos ©CitizenReporter

 

Coming soon: The Editor of The Citizen walks Chelsea’s “great green boulevard'” to present his full review…