Westminster council has launched a feasibility study aimed at turning Leicester Square into “the centrepiece of London”.
The council’s leader Simon Milton said he wanted the area to become “a symbol of regeneration equivalent to New York’s Times Square”.
Westminster is in discussions with leading arts and business figures, including film producer/director Ridley Scott and theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh, about the Square’s future.
It favours a major reconstruction of the four building blocks on the north side of the Square and the introduction of new tenants.
Proposals put forward include:
- making Leicester Square a permanent home for the Circe de Soleil
- building a Las Vegas-style casino
- reinventing the Square as the heartland of British Cinema
- a “high-quality” hotel
Ongoing discussions aimed at drawing up a redevelopment strategy involve major landowners including London & Regional managing director Ian Livingstone.
The applications from Gasgoyne Holdings to redevelop the Hippodrome and from Land Securities for the Swiss Centre will be incorporated into the masterplan.
Milton said: “The only way to change things is to have co-operation and encourage developers to develop because there is something in it for them.
“We have the potential to create a lot more space here.
“We have spoken to all the owners and they’re all interested.”
The results of the feasibility study will be tied in with a public realm strategy, which will be drawn up by architect EDAW.
References: EGi News 20/03/03
