The facts
Client: Berkeley
Homes
Location: Southwark, London
Services: Landscape Architecture
Sector: Public Realm
Project Value: £2m
Start/Completion: 2001 - 2007
The Project
The Empire Square project involved the
public realm design for a new open space created as part of the
mixed-use redevelopment of the former Long Lane Studios site on
Borough High Street.
A new central square was created at the
centre of the development and is surrounded by office and
residential buildings. The square will be a new focus for
residents, visitors and the community and is defined by broad
sweeping lawn terraces and arcs of large semi-mature trees.
Opening the heart of this site will provide
new routes through to reconnect the site to the adjacent streets
that were previously cut-off from the surrounding
neighbourhood.
The central cafe has been designed to
encourage usage throughout the day and into the night and to help
to make the space self policing.