Between January and May 2023, The King’s Road Partnership (KRP) convened local stakeholders to co-design potential public realm improvements for the King’s Road area adjacent to Royal Avenue and Royal Avenue itself.
The design team from AttisTowns was asked to ensure any potential emerging scheme was sympathetic to the historic fabric and context of the local area, which includes the Grade II listed Royal Hospital Chelsea. Importantly, Royal Avenue is listed as a “protected square” under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931 and sits within the Royal Hospital Conservation Area.
Royal Avenue is a publicly open space owned by the Royal Hospital and leased by RBKC. It currently has a number of challenges, including the northern section is cluttered and has attracted some anti-social behaviour issues.
Stakeholders involved in the co-design approach agreed the priority area to take forward are sensitive rearrangements to the paved northern section of Royal Avenue, often referred to as the piazza. In autumn/winter 2024, new co-design sessions will be planned to explore opportunities for the piazza.
