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This is the first look at a reimagined Carnaby Street of the future after its landlords proposed a makeover for one of London’s most famous addresses.
Shaftesbury Capital has started consultation on major improvements to the Soho street that became a by-word for the Swinging Sixties but later fell into decline.
The plans are at an early stage but are aimed at making pedestrianised Carnaby Street a more pleasant and inviting place to spend time, shop, and eat and drink.
The image shows new paving that reinstates the distinction between “a central movement zone and calmer pavement areas” - although it will remain car free - introduce softer lighting and far more greenery.
Carnaby Street reached its rock and roll heyday in the Sixties when fashion boutiques such as Lady Jane, Lord John and The Mod Male drew A-listers such as The Rolling Stones and the Beatles.
The Kinks wrote the song 'Dedicated Follower Of Fashion', to poke fun at the "Carnebetian army" - the fashion victims who strutted through Carnaby Street.
However, the street, which was made traffic free by the Greater London Council in 1973, lost a lot of its glamour in the Seventies and Eighties before something of a revival in more recent years.
Last month women’s fashion brand Kookaï said is to make a return to the UK high street “in the coming months”, with a new 1,800 sq ft flagship store at 37 Carnaby Street.
Beauty retailer Sephora also plans its first West End presence with a new boutique‑style store at 5–7 Carnaby Street.
Shaftesbury Capital began work on planned improvements last year with early engagement with residents, businesses and visitors showing “strong support for investing in the street environment, particularly around improving paving quality, introducing more greening, creating warmer lighting and celebrating Carnaby Street’s cultural identity.”
In response the project team at Shaftesbury Capital have drawn up designs “exploring how the street could be made greener, easier to enjoy and better connected, while staying true to Carnaby Street’s distinctive character and heritage.”
As the next stage Shaftesbury Capital has launched a community “check-in” consultation for residents, businesses and visitors. Approval to highway changes and planning permission from Westminster council will be needed and a formal public consultation carried out before any works can go ahead.
