Restoring the urban fabric: Marylebone Square restores historic city block | Features

Our cities are not static entities – they evolve, adapt and often bear the scars of past decisions. While development and investment are critical to urban vitality, there is increasing recognition that repair and maintenance are equally important.

Damaged urban landscapes, destroyed by decades of poor planning or neglect, can be repaired and brought back to life. This series, “Repairing the Urban Fabric,” focuses on projects that do not aim to reinvent or overwrite places, but instead draw on their existing structure and texture to restore their character and reinforce their identity.

The Marylebone Square project has regenerated a long-vacant city block in central London with a mixed-use development comprising housing, retail and community facilities. Designed by E8 for Concord London, the project is located on the former Moxon Street Car Park, a site that was cleared in the 1960s and left vacant for decades.

Location history and planning context

The Moxon Street site has a complex planning history spanning decades. The council acquired freehold of the site in September 1991 following a transfer from the London Residuary Body. The land was originally earmarked for educational purposes after it was cleared under slum clearance powers in 1966. Although several school proposals have been considered over the years, none were prioritized by the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA), leaving the site undeveloped.

Following the abolition of the ILEA in 1990, the site was transferred to the London Residuary Body and subsequently to Westminster City Council in 1991. One provision stipulated that the land could not be sold before August 2011 without the consent of the Secretary of State. However, by this time demographic projections indicated that a new school in the area was no longer necessary.

The council began examining alternative uses for the site, including a proposal for a new consolidated adult education facility. By April 2008, the Learning and Skills Council had officially approved £9.2 million in funding for the proposed education centre. However, while planning documents were drawn up for the Moxon Street site, the development ultimately did not progress.

An opportunity to repair the urban fabric

Westminster recognized that the Moxon Street site offered a rare opportunity to redevelop an entire city block within the Portman Estate conservation area. A new planning brief was developed that promoted a comprehensive approach and linked high-quality architecture and urban planning with sustainable building principles.

The proposals were expected to respect the historic character of the area, enhance the surrounding townscape and provide a mix of residential and community use in line with planning policy.

Before Marylbone Square development began, Westminster City Council councilor Karen Scarborough said: “As the first fully redeveloped block in the village for more than five decades, it will be a significant addition to the area.”

The Marylebone Farmers Market: an important community asset

The Marylebone Farmers' Market, which had operated from the Moxon Street car park site since 2003, played an important role in planning the redevelopment of the site. The market ran for four hours every Sunday and attracted 30 to 40 stalls each week. It was estimated that it attracted between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors, most of whom arrived on foot or using sustainable transport.

Local councilors, residents and leisure groups described the market as an important community and economic asset, credited with helping to regenerate Marylebone High Street and increasing the attractiveness of the area.

Concerns about the possible loss of the market created some resistance during the planning process, and its retention or relocation was a priority for many stakeholders. Whilst the original car park is now being transformed into Marylebone Square, the farmers market continues to take place on the surrounding streets at weekends, retaining its role as a vibrant meeting place for the local community and a magnet for the area's shops and businesses.

The architecture

The planning application for the redevelopment of the Moxon Street car park site was submitted by Simon Bowden Architecture (now E8 Architecture) in October 2014 and approved in January 2016. While some concerns were raised locally about the lack of a new public space, English Heritage supported the project, stating that “the architects have responded imaginatively to all the different constraints of the site and have produced a design that reflects the character and appearance of the conservation area.” will really improve.”

Construction of Marylebone Square finally began in December 2020 and was completed in December 2023. The design reinforces the historic street pattern whilst attempting to respect the scale and urban fabric of Marylebone.

The new building consists of four main floors above ground and two recessed floors above. The renovation also includes a new underground car park with 120 parking spaces.

The exterior facade features striking glazed ceramic cladding in four shades. E8 Architects describe the ceramic surfaces as sculpted to create a feeling of solidity and robustness.

Bespoke cast aluminum structural balustrades, manufactured in Ipswich from 100% recycled aluminum, are incorporated into the design alongside a parapet frieze reminiscent of a sound sine wave.

The development also includes public realm improvements such as widened sidewalks, busy storefronts and amenities such as a gym, community hall and space for medical services.

The project includes a central landscaped courtyard designed to bring daylight into the interior of the building and moderate the indoor climate. The courtyard is planted with vegetation that mimics a forest floor ecosystem and is designed to improve air quality and minimize maintenance. Glazed elevators provide access to the upper floors and offer views of the courtyard and surrounding area.

Simon Bowden, founder and director of E8 Architecture, said: “Throughout the development there will be a key focus on the wellbeing of residents. The houses are arranged around a unique courtyard with a central courtyard garden – the only one of its kind in London. Inspired by classic conservatories, the naturally ventilated courtyard ensures a constant flow of fresh air, with a series of breezeways providing direct access to each apartment.

“It is a centerpiece of the development, carefully curated with a planting and landscaping plan designed to provide a calming contrast to the city outside. The careful care of the flora and fauna provided color and interest throughout the year, with a variety of fern species adding varying shades of green, height and size to the impressive space.”

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Inside, the apartments are arranged according to open floor plans, with spacious rooms and verandas within the facade that promote indoor-outdoor living. The design aims to minimize visual clutter through discreet services and amenities, creating a calming environment.

Of the project, Bowden said: “I was really given the freedom to create a cohesive overall concept, from the exterior design to the tile details in the bathroom. It has been an amazing journey and the result truly reflects the rarity of this opportunity.”