Futurecity have devised the cultural strategy for St James’s Market, curated the artwork commissions and will manage the ongoing delivery of the installations as the redevelopment progresses.
St James’s Market is the latest project to come forward as part of The Crown Estate’s wider strategic vision for the St James’s portfolio. This includes a £400m investment over ten years in improving the properties within the portfolio to secure the area’s reputation as a world renowned destination for future generations.
An embedded artwork designed by David Thorpe for the Regent Street St James’s block of the redevelopment will mark the artist’s first permanent public art installation. Both Studio Weave and Studio Swine’s work seeks to enliven the new public spaces created as part of the project.
The artworks have been commissioned as part of the cultural strategy for St James’s Market, which aims to create vibrant, distinctive areas around St James’s Market through a programme of art commissions that draw on the area’s historic reputation for master craftsmanship, contemporary art and luxury retail for inspiration.
Anthea Harries, St James’s Portfolio Manager said: “St James’s has a rich cultural heritage, focused around high quality craftsmanship and this is something we want to put right at the heart of our vision for reinvigorating St James’s Market.”
Mike Rayner, Head of Development at Oxford Properties said: “We’re delighted to be working with such eminent designers, and we’re looking forward to seeing their detailed concepts which will animate the site’s public spaces and contribute to creating a truly distinctive West End destination, inspired by the unique history of the area.”
David Thorpe, Studio Weave and Studio Swine are currently working up detailed proposals which will be unveiled early next year.