The Sloane Street Transformation Is Complete

Is this London’s most luxurious makeover? Two years ago, Cadogan revealed it would be transforming the iconic Sloane Street – which connects Sloane Square to Knightsbridge and dates back to 1777 – into an elegant 1km-long ‘green boulevard’. From widened pavements and welcoming street furniture to an abundance of new greenery overseen by multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show award-winner Andy Sturgeon, Sloane Street is fit for a king – and is set to become London’s most prestigious shopping destination thanks to a flurry of new openings. Here’s what you need to know.

Sloane Street’s new greening scheme was masterminded by multiple Chelsea Flower Show winner Andy Sturgeon. (© Hufton+Crow)

The £46m Sloane Street Transformation Is Complete

After more than a decade of planning and two years of construction, Sloane Street’s transformation is officially complete. This morning, a final commemorative stone was laid by Lord Cadogan and Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, to seal the completion.

‘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,’ says Hugh Seaborn, Cadogan’s CEO.

‘The “new” Sloane Street is defined by tradition and innovation, amplifying its inherent craftmanship, creativity and heritage,’ Seaborn adds. ‘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.’

Pavements widened 23 percent, artistic planting, elegant street furniture and enhanced lighting all combine to create a welcoming, 1km-long ‘green boulevard’ to be enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike, which Cadogan delivered in partnership with Kensington and Chelsea Council, with the masterplan overseen by John McAslan + Partners.

Come spring, the street will be in bloom, fitting the region’s annual Chelsea in Bloom celebrations which run concurrently with the Chelsea Flower Show. (© Hufton+Crow)

‘Transforming this iconic street has been an exhilarating urban design endeavour,’ McAslan says. ‘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.’

Bespoke, UK-sourced materials have been woven together to encapsulate this new, welcoming identity: think honey-hued Yorkstone pavements, silver-grey granite and brass studs to demarcate parking and loading bays, lighting columns crafted by artisan ironworkers, and handcrafted granite planters buffering pedestrians from the road.

As for the flowers in those planters, the layered greening scheme has been masterminded by multiple Chelsea Flower Show winner Andy Sturgeon, with more than 100 new trees planted along Sloane Street, too. The colour scheme is positively regal: rich maroons, reds, purples and blues blossom from a diverse and climate-resilient mixture of flowers and shrubs, offering year-round splendour. Come spring, the street will certainly be in bloom, fitting the region’s annual Chelsea in Bloom celebrations which run concurrently with the Chelsea Flower Show. In the summer, berries will burst into life and by autumn, visitors will enjoy a seasonal palette of warm tones, while winter is elevated with sculptural branch structures.

‘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,’ says the leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, Elizabeth Campbell. ‘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.’

The revamp has attracted a spate of luxury brands to the street

Sloane Street has been a honeypot for luxury brands as of late, tempting the likes of Dior, Temperley London, L’Objet and Valentino to the street, with Zimmerman due to open its doors in spring. Meanwhile, the revamp has led to resident brands like Brunello Cucinelli, Dior, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent upsizing to bigger stores.

Meanwhile, plenty of new places to eat, drink and stay continue to open their doors thanks to Cadogan’s recent partnerships with Belmond, Beaverbrook, Jean-Louis Costes and Iconic Luxury Hotels to manage properties on Sloane Street or close by. Plus, new restaurant space has enticed the famed Italian winemaking Antinori family, David Yeo and Jason Atherton to open new venues on and around the street.