Outdoor eating scheme could see parts of central London look like Paris

The first pictures of a huge £3bn plan to make London look like Paris have been revealed.

An historic London street is set to be transformed with 350 new luxury homes and giant glass pods for Parisian-style outdoor dining.

Queensway, in Westminster, is set to undergo a “once-in-a-lifetime” revamp including new al-fresco dining spots, shops, offices, and fancy apartments overlooking Hyde Park.

The project is being led by the Queensway Joint Steering Committee – a mix of high-end property developers – with input from Westminster City Council and Transport for London.

Committee members plan to turn cramped parking spots into new spaces for shops and dining, with glass pavilions decorated in plants situated along new courtyards.

Pavements will be widened with extra trees and foliage to encourage visitors to enjoy the outdoors.

Property developer Alex Michelin said on behalf of the committee: “We are delighted to present a comprehensive vision for the rejuvenation of this historic area of central London.”

He added: “This once-in-a-lifetime regeneration of Queensway will deliver an entirely new experience for visitors and residents, including a re-greening of the streetscape, wider pavements, significant traffic reduction, improved street lighting and world-class new homes, shops, restaurants and public spaces.

“Through this major investment programme, Queensway will be reborn as a thriving, modern and vibrant living and leisure district; the high street of the future and a vital London destination.”

The committee hopes the project will cut down on commuter traffic and encourage people to walk along Queensway, which stretches between Notting Hill and Hyde Park.

The development includes seven new buildings, more than 350 new homes, and 10,000 sq ft of new office space, and is set to be fully complete by 2026.

The huge project features five key developments: 57 new homes overlooking Hyde Park; a new entrance to Kensington Gardens with a better pedestrian crossing; 68 new apartments at Princess Court; a new shopping parade along North Queensway; the transformation of the Whiteley – one of London’s first luxury department stores – into a hotel and spa with more than 130 flats.

Westminster City Council will consider granting planning permission for different aspects of the project in due course.