Design teams selected for Oxford Street regeneration

London City Hall has appointed two design teams to lead the next stage of Oxford Street’s regeneration, with the aim of delivering a world-class pedestrian and retail destination by 2026.

The announcement follows a public consultation that showed strong support for pedestrianisation. City Hall is now developing detailed transport and highway proposals that could see nearly a mile of Oxford Street – between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street – closed to through traffic and reimagined for walking, leisure and outdoor events.

Architecture practices East and Hawkins\Brown will jointly design and oversee the Mayor of London’s Oxford Street Transformation Programme, a key component of plans to revive the capital’s flagship shopping street following years of decline.

The project will involve a comprehensive redesign of Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road, with detailed plans already underway for the first phase between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.

A Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) is expected to be established by 1 January 2026 to help deliver the scheme.

Both firms are drawing on expertise from a range of internationally recognised specialists. These include Gehl, the global urban design consultancy behind the pedestrianisation of Times Square in New York, and Publica, which previously led public realm upgrades for Bond Street in London.

Julian Lewis, Director of East, said: “East is committed to enhancing people’s experience of urban environments, and Oxford Street is a vital public place in the heart of London which, in many ways, epitomises the city itself. East is rooted in London and we are excited and honoured to have been selected by the Mayor and his team to lead the transformation of this iconic street to create a world class public space.”

Darryl Chen, Partner at Hawkins\Brown, said: “We love Oxford Street and feel immensely privileged to be a part of its transformation. With the Mayor's ambitions coinciding with the changing face of retail, the stage is set for the next act in Oxford Street's famous story. That's a very, very exciting prospect.”

Oxford Street contributes an estimated £25 billion a year to London’s economy but has faced mounting challenges from the rise of online retail, out-of-town shopping centres, and the lasting effects of the pandemic.

City Hall has said the final proposals will reflect and build upon work already done by Westminster City Council, including maintaining bus access along parts of the street while delivering a cohesive design framework for the entire stretch.