Marshalls supplies natural stone to transform London Square

As part of a major £23 million regeneration project backed by the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL), Aldgate Square has been totally transformed.

Identified as an area needing support to promote regeneration in 2008, Aldgate Square was designed to remove barriers between communities, and is now the first public space for the area’s multicultural residents, and one of the largest public spaces in the Square Mile.

Taking over seven years to complete, this award winning site, has transformed the movement of vehicles and people. Through the inclusion of improved cycle routes, reduction in traffic and the planting of 71 trees, the air quality in the space has significantly improved, signalling the importance of investing in high quality public spaces.

Featuring a striking pavilion designed by Make Architects, the Square also utilises Marshalls’ Scoutmoor Natural Stone paving to great effect. The muted grey and brown tones enhance the feeling of openness throughout the area, as well as perfectly complementing the unusual copper tones of the Corten steel pavilion roof.

Marshalls Scoutmoor Yorkstone is a popular paving choice throughout London thanks to its versatile colour, impressive technical performance, and class leading slip resistance. Sourced from Marshalls’ quarry in Lancashire, the stone is the strongest type of Yorkstone available in the UK.

Bespoke Portuguese Tarvos Granite Seating Units were also employed to create a remarkable centrepiece within the square, allowing a large area for residents and visitors to congregate. Tarvos is an elegant silver grey granite with delicate pigmentation that has been supplied across the country by Marshalls as paving, setts and bespoke masonry.

The square is the centrepiece which unites two listed buildings – Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School and St Botolph without Aldgate Church. As part of the redevelopment the churchyard gardens were redesigned and enlarged to bring focus back this historic building, creating a snaking pathway to the entrance. Marshalls Scoutmoor paving, edging, setts, steps and wall cladding flow into this space from the square creating a harmonious aesthetic. The gardens are rich with high quality planting, providing a secluded and calming space in the midst of a chaotic city.

Transformational projects such as Aldgate Square and St Botolph’s Church form a key part of achieving the Mayor’s Transport Strategy which sets out a long-term ambition to create more beautiful, accessible and people-friendly streets across London, that everyone can enjoy spending time and being active.