S3 Ep5: Jorge Mendonça and Gavin Murray | Gascoyne Estates - giving Old Hatfield a new heart

Gascoyne Estates' CEO Jorge Mendonça and architect Gavin Murray reveal how they and their teams turned a tired town square into a beautiful and vibrant space.Salisbury Square at the centre of Old Hatfield in Hertfordshire was, by common agreement, “unloved and unsuccessful.” It recently reopened (June 2026) after a major improvement scheme to widespread praise from people in the community and further afield.New homes, offices and shops, along with a beautiful public space at the heart of the development, were delivered. A consultation, via a charrette held at the very start of the process, ensured the local community was fully engaged.This episode also highlights the importance of taking the community with you when you embark on a major development project so that on completion you can hand it back to local people and businesses and watch it flourish and grow.