Chelsea Quay completes in time for RHS Chelsea Flower Show

As all eyes turn to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week, we're excited to share Chelsea Quay, London’s new waterfront space on the Chelsea Embankment, just outside the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s Bull Ring Gate.

The above ground space has been created following construction of London’s new super sewer delivered by Tideway. Chelsea Embankment is a new space, not just beside the river but on it! Parts of the area will be ‘floodable’ at ‘high tide offering visitors the first opportunity of its kind to safely dip their toes in a cleaner River Thames.

The new space responds to the restorative green character of the local area, providing a place to pause and enjoy the river. The sculptural organic design uses clay bricks - referencing Bazalgette’s original sewer tunnels - and integrates a floodable walkway.

Subtly shifting coloured lighting on the ventilation columns signifies the ebb and flow of the tide, and the listed Lion’s Foot lamp standards, also designed by Bazalgette, have been carefully retained and restored. The new space has extended the Thames Path and we have made other improvements including the paving around the Bull Ring on the north side of the road.

Below the space, the monumental civil engineering works intercept the Ranelagh sewer overflow (CSO) and lost’ river Westbourne, redirecting into the new super sewer, to improve the water quality of the river.
A bespoke wayfinding system and an integrated artwork by Florian Roithmayr, further enrich the space and reflect the site’s relationship with the everchanging tidal foreshore.

The new public space promotes biodiversity with Intertidal terraces planted with native species, and a textured river wall, providing refuge and spaces to feed for a variety of birds, small mammals and fish.

We’re honoured to contribute to a greener, more inclusive and resilient city.

Public realm designed by Hawkins\Brown and Gillespies, with engineering by AECOM,  lighting by Studio Dekka, Wayfinding by Gillespies, Main Contractor Ferrovial Laing O’Rouke'.

Images by Rob Parrish.