Space Activation & Animation
Mayfair Sculpture Trail (2020 – current)
New West End Company
PWLC Projects were commissioned to project manage logistical and regulatory requirements for Mayfair Sculpture Trail in 2020.. It was quickly established that the client wished to run the sculpture trail as an annual event but expressed concern about submitting and obtain planning consent each year, whilst agreeing which sculptures would be placed in the public domain within a relatively short space of time. PWLC developed a strategy that sought to obtain pre-approval for the art work locations in Mayfair prior New West End Company knowing the full sculpture programme.
PWLC Projects successfully obtained pre-approval on a number of locations throughout Mayfair by working closely with Westminster City Council’s planning and highways teams. Drawing on our experience working across many Highways Authorities in London, each location was set out in plan, risk assessed and negotiated with the Council. As the Mayfair Sculpture Trail programme was developed between partners and galleries, a separate ‘Approval of Details’ was issued to the Council for each of the art sculptures. This approach has given NWEC significant flexibility to curate their annual programme and has since been rolled out in successive years 2021 and 2022.
Flags and Signage
Selfridges
PWLC Projects was commissioned by Selfridges to obtain a longer-term advertising consent for a series of flags at the rear of their flagship store on Oxford Street. Given the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Selfridges were seeking to utilise their outdoor space more frequently, with plans for the rear of the site (Edward’s Mews) to be used for various events and activities. To entice people to Edward’s Mews, Selfridges sought to engage passing foot traffic with the use of decorative flags on lamp columns.
PWLC were able to negotiate a 5-year advertising consent for the flags on Edward’s Mews that allows Selfridges to freely change them without seeking consent each and every time. In addition to this, we were able to negotiate a 6-month extension for the store front signage ‘Let’s change the way we shop’.
George Street Mural
Baker Street Quarter Partnership
PWLC Projects was commissioned to project manage and obtain planning permission for a new art mural on George Street in the Marylebone area. George Street, or George’s Park is a pop-up green space privately owned and created in July 2018. The first phase of the park incorporated seating areas, planting and a trading pitch which have been largely successful in transforming a relatively uninspiring space into a place of respite for local workers wanting somewhere to socialise and / or eat their lunch. A second phase of work to enhance the space further incorporated a 5-storey mural with a horticultural / floral theme.
Our work involved project managing the art work installation, working with the artist to identify suitable materials that could be applied and remain in a high quality condition for a long period of time. We liaised with contractors to undertake a fairly complicated installation with limited working area and at height. Crucial to obtaining consent, we met the Head of Central Planning to agree what would be acceptable in the public domain, touching on visual impact, sensitivity towards neighbours and assurances over what it might look like over a longer period of time. Our planning application submission has been successful and as a live project, the mural is currently in situ.