Brown Hart Gardens, Elevated square in Mayfair, London, England.
Brown Hart Gardens is an elevated square in Mayfair designed with stone balustrades, domed pavilions, and paved terraces for public use. The garden sits above a functioning electrical substation, creating a unique layered urban space that opens to the surrounding streets.
The square was created in 1905 when the Duke of Westminster mandated an Italian-style garden design built atop a newly constructed electrical substation. This solution allowed for public space to be added without disrupting the essential infrastructure beneath it.
The space serves as a gathering spot where office workers and local residents pause during their day to enjoy a quiet moment away from the busy streets below. You will see people sitting on benches, meeting friends, or simply taking a break from the surrounding activity.
The garden is reached by climbing steps from Bond Street or from surrounding streets, making it accessible from the street level of the pedestrian area. Since there are no fixed gates or barriers, you can visit whenever you pass through the neighborhood.
At the center of the square is a skylight window that allows views down into the darkness of the electrical substation below, offering a rare glimpse of hidden urban infrastructure. This unusual feature reminds visitors that the public garden rests on top of working machinery beneath their feet.
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