There’s a reason why London is one of the world’s great capitals. While first-time visitors might be enamoured with Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and all the tourist hot spots, seasoned travelers bored of the usual will still find that there’s plenty to explore.
Earl’s Court is one such neighbourhood. The area is set to undergo a rejuvenation spearheaded by Capital and Counties Properties (Capco) under a new urban masterplan. Of this, Lillie Square, an 800-home strong residential development will play a massive part in pulling in affluent jet-setters.
After all, the UK-based developers are the ones who breathed new life into Covent Garden in 2006 with an overarching framework to unite small scale initiatives and businesses into a larger urban movement.
Now, that magic looks set to descend upon Earl’s Court as Capco has once again embarked on an ambitious masterplan to divide the precinct into four urban villages. Thousands of new homes will be built and a high street from which glamorous new stores will rise while hip restaurants and bars are set to settle in.
For starters, Lillie Square a prime residential property that Capco is developing out of a derelict car park, will be home to beautiful green spaces — or ‘garden square living’ — a feature that is quintessentially British as is white stucco townhouses and red brick mansion blocks. It has always been associated with the city’s affluent residents.
“These green oases were only accessible to those who lived on the square itself and thus they became a symbol of prosperity,” explained James Lane, Head of Sales at Capco.
Outside of Lillie Square, the area is already a destination itself, having long been an important stop for fans of Chelsea Football Club wanting to visit the home stadium and museum. Its list of restaurants and bars includes the Harwood Arms — the only Michelin-starred pub in London which specialises in game meat as well as so-hip-it-hurts speakeasies like The Evans and Peel Detective Agency.
“Additionally, if you prefer a stroll around a prestigious park, museums and London’s Royal Palaces then nearby Kensington is ideal,” quipped Lane.
The entire masterplan will only come to life over the next 15-20 years in phases.
“As a nod to what is to come at Earl’s Court, we have created a pop-up high street called the West Brompton Crossing.”
The pop up is currently home to four restaurants and a retail space that showcases new fashion and jewellery brands.
“Earls Court is a unique opportunity to envision what a whole new part of the city could be like,” said Lane.