Circus Street

This impressive two-acre site was in a sorry state when we took over the maintenance of the grounds and gardens.

Plants had died, established trees had been lost, and the lawn was waterlogged.

“Heidi’s understanding and knowledge of technical issues is very reassuring. I trust what she says. She is very technically capable, but then she also has the passion and grit to get it done.”

— Rob Slopper, Senior Development Director, Landsec

The brief

Circus Street is a two-acre, mixed-use development in the centre of Brighton. It contains a state-of-the-art dance studio, a five-floor office block, 180 rental flats, 450 student apartments, retail units and a restaurant.

J&L Gibbons Landscape Architects developed a detailed design for Circus Street with a vision of creating a woodland atmosphere within an urban development for their client, Landsec. However, Landsec felt that the landscaping contractors were not fully capturing this vision. As a result, I was brought in to help bring the design to life.

The result

We worked closely with J&L Gibbons Landscape Architects to choose plants that would thrive within the space, while being careful not to lose their original vision of a woodland in the city. We then set about replacing 18 established trees and over 3,000 shrubs and perennials, lifted a 30m x 50m lawn space, and dug out drainage channels. Only 15 plants (of the 3,000 planted) have since perished.

Today, Circus Street is a fully occupied development with a green space that is thriving. Through this space, we are supporting the development of a real community within Circus Street, and creating a destination for rest and recuperation.

We have now created a thriving woodland within a state-of-the-art development. The replanted lawn is resplendent, and is resilient to downpours. The meadow has been transformed into a perennial haven that dogs can explore without damage. The ‘rufty-tufty’ replacement trees we chose are well-establishing, with lofty branches that handle all that the Circus Street microclimate throws at them.

Since starting this project, we have collaborated with Landsec on three further projects: Mayfield Park in Manchester, Morden Wharf in Greenwich, and concept ideas for Black Rock Gardens in Brighton Marina, alongside architects from We Like Today.

“As a developer, we deal with the tricky end of potential customers and neighbours. Heidi has an openness and willingness to build genuine relationships with them and find out how their development and green spaces are working for them. Heidi/ This has been paramount in building community in our developments.

“But most of all, she offers lateral thinking and ideas, this is the hardest thing to come by, and you can never have enough of that.”