Grosvenor Square Competition Brief

Reimagining Grosvenor Square as the world's best green square.

Grosvenor Square is being reimagined to reflect the city’s changing social and environmental needs. Located in the heart of Mayfair, and once home to the US Embassy, the second-largest garden square in central London has long been underutilised through its perceived exclusivity.

As part of Grosvenor’s 20-year vision for its London Estate, the Square is now the subject of an ambitious initiative to re-establish it as a welcoming, inclusive, and biodiverse green space that better serves Londoners.

Advising on the transformation of an iconic public space

DSDHA has been appointed to both review and define Grosvenor's urban ambition and scope for reinvention so as to translate their initial call for ideas into a robust two-stage competition brief, with a vision for Grosvenor Square to become the best garden square in the world.

DSDHA's wide-ranging role encompassed reviewing and interrogating existing data and guidance, researching and coordinating visits to international precedents, interpreting and consolidating technical restraints and, most importantly, rationalising the process and translating Grosvenor's requirements into an appropriately worded competition brief, all ensuring the Square’s transformation is not only landscape-led and environmentally progressive, but that it delivers civic value on a global benchmark.

Creating a greener, more inclusive Mayfair

The aim is to make Grosvenor Square a model of sustainable public realm, combining horticultural richness with social accessibility and climate resilience. The brief we designed invites innovative solutions around biodiversity, air quality, health, and well-being. DSDHA emphasised the need to expand the appeal of Mayfair to a more diverse audience of residents, workers, and visitors alike.