Kings Road Park
Overview
King's Road Park is transforming a hidden part of London’s heritage into a sustainable neighbourhood within a park in Chelsea’s Design District. Just 60m from the iconic King’s Road and near the Thames, it offers 1,800+ homes, restored listed buildings, and 100,000 sq. ft. of vibrant commercial space, all with excellent Zone 2 connections.
Client
St William
Gillespies
Landscape Architect
2023
Year
BALI 2024 Principal Award for Commercial Roof Garden or Podium Landscaping - over £500k.
Awards
Elites contribution
Elite Landscapes were successful in the tender for hard and soft landscaping to phase 1. This phase composed of all the surrounding ground floor areas which mostly sit on a podium slab as well as a large podium roof garden for the residents. The landscaping includes large build up to form levels, attenuation tanks, pergolas water features and extensive hard and soft landscaping.
From the outset, the original programme of works Elite were issued was incredibly tight. Late release of the contract meant Elite needed to procure all items very quickly and without delay. Due to client challenges, there were delays in handing Elite the areas however as occupations were on a set date quick turn arounds and additional zoning of spaces was required. Elite worked extended hours and weekends to achieve programme access dates. Despite being a technically challenging project Elite didn’t miss one of the required dates for St William, something the site team has commended us on.
The material build up to form levels in some areas presented a challenge as it exceeded 1m in places. Given restricted access to the level 1 podium work and the small sectional completions we were provided work had to be carefully sequenced to allow good progress and dates to be achieved for client hand over and occupation from residents.
Further challenges on this project have been around delays. As program slipped so much trees and contract grown plants needed to be maintained in the nursery’s for almost 18 months post completion dates leading to challenges away from site. Areas on the podium had some 6 months break between one starting and another area completing resulting in potential variation of planting sizes and mixes in an elliptical design. Despite logistical challenges were overcome and the finish of the completed area is as per the design intention.