Hlemmur square design nears completion
The design for Hlemmur square and CityLine at Hlemmur and part of Laugavegur was recently presented to Reykjavík's Environment & Planning Council. The design for this sixth phase of Hlemmur square is now in its final stages. The construction design is currently under review, a process that is expected to conclude by the end of January. Construction is scheduled to start in April or May of next year and finish by mid-2027.
Vibrant downtown square
Representatives from the CityLine project management office and a representative from the international landscape and architecture firm Mandaworks, which won Reykjavík City's competition for landscape design of Hlemmur square along with DLD Land design, presented the project to the Environment & Planning Council.
Hlemmur is gradually changing and taking on a new identity as a public space. The area is becoming much more walkable and attractive for vibrant community activity, offering a variety of potential uses. The Hlemmur area is being purposefully designed as a vibrant downtown square with full accessibility for all.
Public transport will be the only vehicle traffic
Public transport will be the only vehicle traffic moving through the square. Designers are focusing on integrating biking and walking paths, which will enhance safety, improve accessibility, and support an active urban life.
It will be exciting to see CityLine appear with its stations and the new section of the Hlemmur square area in the coming years. The design isn't just about accommodating CityLine; it also includes modern amenities at the stops, such as bike shelters, electric scooter parking, and open bike racks, along with seating areas to enjoy the surroundings.
Greatly improved route for cyclists through the area
Safety for everyone in the area is a priority. A two-way biking path will run down Laugavegur and through Hlemmur square north of the stops, and its design will be integrated into the square to naturally slow cyclist traffic. The route for cyclists will be greatly improved throughout the area once construction is finished.
A key focus is on making the area lush with diverse vegetation. The plan also includes rain gardens—specially planted areas designed to collect rainwater. Seating areas and vegetation have already been installed in the square, immediately giving the area a new look.
This summer, a temporary playground at Hlemmur gave the city's youngest residents a place to play, setting the tone for what's to come with the planned play area on the eastern side of the square. At Hlemmur, generations will have opportunities to come together for relaxation and play. A food hall has already found its home in the building that once housed the Strætó transfer station, bringing all its daily life, aromatic food smells and social gathering. People have long traveled through Hlemmur, but now they have more good reasons to stop and enjoy the surroundings. The ability to travel there using CityLine will mark a significant milestone worth celebrating. The newly presented design shows how Hlemmur will look when public transport again takes center stage in the square, following the redirection of Strætó Public Transport routes in the summer of 2024.
