Policy information sourced from Fitzrovia Area Action Plan

Fitzroy Square Character Area

Broadly similar in character to Bedford Square, Fitzroy Square is a virtually intact Georgian square fronted by terraced townhouses forming a single formal composition. The central circular private garden has limited public access during summer.

The four storey townhouses fronting the square are designed in accordance with classical principles and create the appearance of a single Palladian villa. All terraced townhouses fronting the square are Grade I listed. The buildings are predominantly office use with a range of other uses including residential.

Around Fitzroy Square

Conway Street, Fitzroy Street and Grafton Way lead off Fitzroy Square. They are relatively narrow streets, enclosed by largely four-storey terraces in predominantly residential use with some offices. They retain much of their original character and have significant consistency in terms of the architectural treatment of the terraces. Where there are later 19th and 20th century insertions, their scale complements the original terraces.

Grafton Mews, Fitzroy Mews

The mews drop down in scale and contain a variety of small scale commercial uses, some rear garaging, warehousing and conversions to residential use.

Euston Road

Euston Road terminates Conway Street and Fitzroy Street. The southern side of Euston Road backs onto properties on Warren Street, including a number of Listed Buildings. The building stock on the southern side of Euston Road is mixed and includes the 20th century office block Fitzroy House at 355 Euston Road (7 storeys) contrasted with 19th century townhouses with retail on the ground floor (predominantly 3-4 storeys).

Character Area Principles

The Warren is a priority site for general improvements including to the multi use games area, the play space, paving, seating and planting. Some improvements are proposed in the Parks Improvement Plan.

Development adjacent to the Warren should front entrances and windows to the space to provide natural surveillance and create interaction between the space and the ground floor uses. Designs which incorporate encroachment space in their frontage to the Warren are encouraged (such as doorways and small gardens that allow potential for seating and planters to spill into the public space).

The Council will negotiate with landowners to seek increased public access to Fitzroy Square Gardens.

Public realm opportunities

The Council is planning to conduct an experimental road closure of Warren Street from Grafton Mews to Fitzroy Street.

In this character area we will take forward the following public realm opportunities identified by the Fitzrovia Open Space and Public Realm Study. These potential schemes will require further investigation including prioritisation against other proposals, identification of funding, transport assessment, consultation with key stakeholders and wider public consultation.

5.4 Whitfield Street near the Warren

Improve the public realm (particularly for the safety of pedestrians) around the Warren by moving car parking from adjacent to the open space to improve lines of sight, installing a raised pavement to reduce traffic speeds, and installing crossing points for pedestrians.

5.5 Fitzroy Street and Warren Street

Consider closing Fitzroy Street from Warren Street to Euston Road after conducting the experimental closure of Warren Street from Grafton Mews to Fitzroy Street.

5.6 Cleveland

Street Create a widened footway along parts of Cleveland Street to support high levels of pedestrian activity and possibly tree-planting by reclaiming carriageway and parking spaces. The west side of Cleveland Street belongs to Westminster and any changes will require their permission.

For more information please see the Area Action Plan