Exchange Square
Exchange Square sits at the heart of Broadgate, London’s largest pedestrianised neighbourhood and home to the magnificent Broadgate Venus by Fernando Botero.
Overview
A major new public park for the City of London, Exchange Square has been re-imagined as a bucolic landscape with trees, generously planted borders and four times more green space. Suspended above the tracks of Liverpool Street Station, the landscape, spanning 5000m2, unfolds across several levels to create a more natural topography.
British Land appointed Maylim as Principal Contractor for this scheme, taking on full design responsibility and production of RIBA Stage 4, 5 and 6 information. Maylim appointed consultants DSDHA and Arup to progress technical details to enable construction. Maylim contributed to delivering a unique and high-quality public space of significant value.
The project aimed to transform the ageing, corporate and rectilinear former square into an accessible, natural city park with sweeping curves and a four-fold increase in green space. A bespoke and unique pallet of materials was used across the scheme, quite different to any other public realm in the UK. Over 3000 individual pieces of CNC cut terrazzo form the sweeping amphitheatre, cascading water feature and raised planters.
Complementing the terrazzo are extensive areas of Comblanchien limestone paving. The paving is tied together with a blackened steel ribbon that sweeps through the park framing the amphitheatre and rising on top of the new retail unit, following the curved glazing and highlighting the considerable level changes across the landscape. The retail unit comprises bespoke curved glazing with an experimental blackened steel mullion and cladding system.
From start to finish, placemaking was at the very heart of the project. Throughout the construction period, Maylim’s interaction and collaboration with local communities and businesses surrounding Exchange Square extended the positive impacts of the scheme. Exchange Square is a unique place for people and nature to thrive. The project has been transformational for Broadgate, providing opportunities for rest and relaxation amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.