The Gaumont
Outline
Landscaping works at one of London's most recognisable Art Deco buildings — the former Gaumont cinema on King's Road, Chelsea, now converted into a high-end residential development.
Client
McLaren Construction
Bowles and Wyer
Landscape architect
2026
Year
Few projects come with a setting quite like this. The Gaumont is the redevelopment of one of London's most recognisable Art Deco buildings, the former Gaumont cinema on King's Road, Chelsea, into a landmark high-end residential scheme across six blocks. Elite Landscapes was appointed by McLaren Construction to design, supply and install the complete hard and soft landscaping package, taking full ownership of the podium-level external works from start to finish.
Delivering in one of London's most prestigious and constrained urban environments demands more than technical competence. It requires meticulous coordination, rigorous quality standards and a team that understands what's at stake. Working alongside Bowles and Wyer as Landscape Architect and AKT II as Structural Engineer, Elite managed all materials under McLaren's just-in-time delivery system, with documentation and close-out handled throughout via Dalux.
The finished landscape reflects the quality of its surroundings. Clay pavers from Vande Moortel in light grey and buff, with Chelmer Valley dark grey specials, set the tone for the hard works, complemented by brick and retaining walls, drainage channel systems, decorative gravel finishes and bespoke steel ring containers. Soft landscaping brings the podium to life with specimen trees, shrubs, perennials, climbers, hedging and bulbs, all supported by a fully commissioned irrigation system engineered for long-term establishment at podium level.
Sustainability and social value were embedded throughout, with planting evidenced against BREEAM credit criteria, a water-efficient irrigation system, and Section 106 commitments met across local employment, apprenticeships and procurement.