Jeremy Hildreth
Source: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/jpgs/walbrook_square_stanhope041207_3.jpg
Walbrook Square — we originally proposed to call it Walbrook Circus, in keeping with London nomenclature and the Roman idea of the town’s central meeting place — was conceived by Foster + Partners & Jean Nouvel Architects as the largest redevelopment project in the legendary Square Mile section of UK’s capital in years. Jeremy was part of the Saffron team that created the brand identity. The ambition of the project was to re-invigorate, and re-pedestrianize part of London’s financial centre. We drew on historical references dating back thousands of years to a time when the Walbrook (“wall brook”) ran through this site near the Roman fortification. From this discovery came the naming concept as well as the idea to re-expose in miniature, in the public space, the long-since-buried waterway.
In the midst of the financial crisis, the project was scrapped in 2009 by the Spanish property company Metrovacesa following delays caused by legal battles between the developer and the site owner.
Explains e-architects (in the present tense): “This major mixed-use scheme regenerates an important 3.5 acre site in the heart of the City close to the Bank of England. Reflecting the successful long-term strategy of the Broadgate model, Walbrook Square is directed at a mixed community of users. As well as high specification office space for financially based city tenants, the scheme creates a new and eclectic retail offer for the area. Four office buildings will be developed around a central square and pedestrian streets, with shops and cafés creating lively edge spaces. The Walbrook Square masterplan re-opens a network of old City routes and adds new ones to ensure the scheme’s permeability and engagement with its surroundings.”
