For over a decade, Finsbury Circus Gardens — the City of London's oldest public park — was somewhat inconvenienced by a 42-metre-deep Crossrail shaft slap bang in the middle of it.
Off-limits to the public, the gardens' Grade II-listed water fountain, and its bowling green, were removed.
The immense shaft was finally filled in over the summer, and covered with a temporary lawn — but a more exciting renovation is now on the horizon for Finsbury Circus Gardens.
Following a City of London competition, the park will be revamped by Hackney-based architects Architecture00 + Studio Weave (00SW) with ReardonSmith Landscape.
An oval-shaped lawn will continue to form the centrepiece of the redesigned park, with a new pathway running around it.
Elsewhere an "urban forest" (i.e. some nice trees) will be planted to the west of the gardens, and an elegant stone and terrazzo pavilion, featuring a cafe, will be built on the north side.
The drinking fountain, which dates back to 1902, will be re-situated "nearby", although the bowling green won't be reinstated.
Work commences in late 2021 and should be completed by the end of 2022.
