London developer Fenton Whelan has been given consent by The Royal Parks to submit their plans to Westminster City Council for new twin Royal Park gates and landscaping fronting onto Bayswater Road, providing a magnificent new pedestrian gateway into Kensington Gardens, located directly opposite the start of Queensway and the new Park Modern mixed-use development.
Fronting onto Bayswater Road the new twin Royal Park gates will be located some 19.7 metres (65 feet) distance apart and the new landscaped area between them seamlessly blends into the existing landscape character of the North Walk in Kensington Gardens, creating a new Northern entrance into the Royal Park that will be 166 square metres in size.
Designed and funded by Fenton Whelan the new entrance into Kensington Gardens forms part of the £18 plus million in public contributions agreed between the developer and Westminster City Council as part of the construction of the adjacent Park Modern development.
The result of consultation between Fenton Whelan and The Royal Parks the design of the new gates into Kensington Gardens provide a contemporary and streamlined version of the existing Coalbrookdale Gates into Hyde Park which are located at the south end of West Carriage Drive, made in 1851 and designed by Charles Crookes.
Some 4.3 metres (14 feet) high at their apex and 2.1 metres wide, Kensington Gardens’ new twin gates and adjoining railings will be made in cast iron, painted in black-bronze, with the finials of both gates supporting a total of four decorative lamps.
The 2.1 metre width of each set of gates, and the 3.5 metre to 3.9 metre width of the pedestrian boulevards has been specially designed to allow for two wheelchair or pram users to pass each other with ease, with the new entrance designed to accommodate future increases in visitor numbers without any challenges around crowding or congestion.
Fenton Whelan and The Royal Parks agreed that a modern, streamlined and understated design would be the most appropriate style for the new Kensington Garden Gates with the installation of the connecting semi-circular landscaped area facing into Kensington Gardens providing a wonderful opportunity for seasonal bulb and wildflower planting and the reestablishment of the Bayswater Road boundary tree avenues so characteristic of the historic formal landscape of the Gardens.
Tom Jarvis, Director of Parks at The Royal Parks says: “The Royal Parks is delighted to confirm that a design for the Queensway Gates on Bayswater Road will be submitted to Westminster City Council for consultation and planning approval. Every year millions of visitors come to Kensington Gardens for tourism, recreation and leisure and the wider new gateway and the twin road crossings to Queensway have been carefully designed to facilitate easier access into the park for all users including those with disabilities.”
James Van Den Heule, co-Founding Director of Fenton Whelan says: “Replacing the gates into Kensington Gardens will make a major contribution to the dramatic regeneration of the Queensway area, helping to transform it into the residential and retail focus of Hyde Park North. The new gateway is part of Fenton Whelan’s contribution to the renovation of the public realm along Queensway which also includes improving pavements, street lighting and landscaping in the area.”
Construction of Park Modern is already underway, scheduled for topping out in late 2021 and final build completion in 2022. The 190,000 sqft development will provide 57 one-to-six bedroom residences and 30,000 sqft of premium commercial space. Residents in the development will have access to valet parking, resident’s lounge, a 25 metre pool, gym, spa, cinema, and salon.
At Park Modern, prior to the main launch, Fenton Whelan has already pre-sold £100 million worth of apartments to buyers from Britain, Europe, US, Hong Kong, mainland China and the Middle East at values approaching £5,000 per sqft. With the first phase release of residences at Park Modern now sold the second phase release of residences will take place on 8th June 2021.
Sanjay Sharma, co-Founding Director of Fenton Whelan says: “With the new Queensway Gates, pre-sales and state-of-the-art design Park Modern has become Hyde Park’s most talked about new residential building, perfect for those looking to enjoy an exceptional quality of life and wellbeing in the heart of Prime Central London. Park Modern provides the most outstanding luxury apartments in London.”
Prices at Park Modern start from £2,000,000.
