The City of London’s biggest ever open space is coming to St Paul’s

In 2024 we were treated to some of the first images of Greyfriars Square, a brand new green piazza that will be built right next to St Paul’s Cathedral. When finished, the 3,000 square metre space will be the City of London’s biggest public open space. 

It’s now been announced that work will begin on the project next month. 

The project is all part of the huge transformation of the St Paul’s gyratory – currently the pedestrian and cyclist access to the complex one-way traffic system built in the 1970s is pretty dire, and it needs a proper overhaul. 

Almost 1,500 square metres of intimidating existing roads will be converted into new pavements. There will also be 800 new metres of east-west and north-south cycle lanes, plus new and improved crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The three traffic lanes at the south end of King Edward Street will be closed to traffic and converted into a new 3000 square metre pedestrianised public square, equivalent to 11.5 tennis courts. 

We will be waiting a while to see this all come into fruition. Work officially begins on April 28 and the first phase will take up to two years to complete. 

Chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning and Transport Committee, Shravan Joshi, said: ‘The St Paul’s Gyratory project will enhance all that the Square Mile offers, creating a welcoming walking route that connects the Tate Modern to the future London Museum. I am extremely proud that this is the biggest open space ever to be delivered in the City, which will have amenities that offer a place to rest, socialise and play.

‘We are committed to deliver new public spaces for everyone to enjoy, in line with our “Destination City” growth strategy to secure the Square Mile’s status as a world-leading place to invest.’

ICYMI: Bromley-by-Bow gasworks in east London is being turned into 2,000 homes and a riverside park.