Paternoster Square EC4
Office and retail development has re-energised a formerly cold and barren public square in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral
Paternoster Square was bombed during World War Two and redeveloped in the 1960s in a monolithic modernist style that quickly fell from favour.
In 1995 Mitsubishi Estate commissioned developer Stanhope and master planners Whitfield Partners to come up with a scheme that would revive the area. The project had to surmount considerable challenges, including a congested site and complex below ground conditions; complicated ownership patterns and legal constraints imposed by the proximity of St Pauls.
To ensure its commercial success, the new buildings surrounding the square were designed to incorporate the large floor plates and environmental services required by the City. Historic gateway Temple Bar was re-erected as the new pedestrian entrance to the enlivened public piazza, which sports a new focal point in the commanding 24m Paternoster Column.
The redevelopment, which included 700,000 sq ft of new offices, retail and cafes, was completed in 2003 and is now home to organisations including the London Stock Exchange, Goldman Sachs and CB Richard Ellis.
As a mark of its continued success, Paternoster Square was awarded the 2009 London Planning Awards Best Built Project - Five Years On Award, presented by London Mayor Boris Johnson.
