The latest in The London Society’s series on Great Estates explores the remarkable evolution of one of London’s most famous and best-loved places: Covent Garden. At the heart of the West End, this district has a rich heritage dating back to the 17th century and earlier.

London’s first residential square was built here, while the area was later home to the capital’s wholesale fruit and vegetable market, and became one of London’s ‘playgrounds', synonymous with theatre, street performance and cultural life. Today it remains one of central London’s most significant places for shopping, eating out and leisure. 

In this talk, Joanna Chambers, Joint Vice-Chair of the Covent Garden Area Trust – set up in 1988 to conserve the area’s historic architecture, environment and special, unique qualities – will take us through Covent Garden’s fascinating history and highlight the stories behind some of its most important surviving historic buildings. Charles Owen, Portfolio Executive for Seven Dials at Shaftesbury, and Simon Taylor, Property Director, The Mercers’ Company - both companies with landholdings in the area - will outline how recent new developments are seeking to maintain and develop Covent Garden as a distinctive destination while respecting its historic context, and consider the challenges and opportunities in effective stewardship of such a unique place.