After nearly two decades of careful planning, Salisbury Square is poised to become the lived-in heart of Old Hatfield. In this interview, Philip Brimley, Head of Property at Hatfield Park shares a mixed-use vision. It is one that combines traditionally crafted architecture with modern systems, a balanced blend of homes and contemporary workspaces, welcoming ground-floor retail and dining, and a calendar of curated community events. With completion on track for 2026 and a new public space being planned, the project aims to restore Old Hatfield’s everyday vibrancy and commercial centre.

When Philip talks about Salisbury Square, he does not describe it as just another development. Instead, it is the culmination of nearly two decades of work to re-energise Old Hatfield.

The vision dates back to 2008, when the Estate collaborated with local businesses, residents, and stakeholders to visualise how Old Hatfield could be revitalised.

As Philip puts it, Salisbury Square is “the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle”. It has been shaped through a series of public events to “identify areas that could be improved, to deliver more homes and workspace – and a bit more of a critical mass to add vibrancy and allow the place to endure.”

Historically, Salisbury Square and Old Hatfield were effectively the centre of commerce for Hatfield, prior to the new town being built.

“The challenge now,” says Philip, “is to revitalise and regenerate those spaces so that they become a place where people can bring their businesses and make their home, and where the day-to-day needs of both residents and workers are served.”

Mixed-Use Development, Done Properly

Gascoyne’s ambition is clear: this is not mixed use in name only. Instead, it is a deliberately balanced blend of homes, workspaces, shops, and public realm.

“This is a mixed-use development done properly,” Philip says. “The Estate has a motto of doing things once and doing it properly – Salisbury Square is a great example of that.”

For him, that means buildings “constructed traditionally but with modern systems in them, for now and the future”.

He describes Salisbury Square in particular as encapsulating a distinct Hatfield and Hertfordshire vernacular, backed by the Estate’s building codes and a “pattern book of designs.”

But consistency, he argues, doesn’t have to mean bland uniformity.

“The new buildings are individual and have distinct characters which are attractive to businesses,” he explains. “Internally, the team is aiming to make them as conventionally modern as we possibly can with open floor plates and good facilities – combined with external character and individuality which really works.”

A Distinctive Home for Modern Businesses

Old Hatfield appears to have a pattern with regard to the types of occupiers it attracts.

“There’s definitely a trend of attracting creative and innovative businesses,” Philip notes, citing architects, marketing agencies, and designers alongside a surprising number of technology-focused companies all keen to be part of Old Hatfield’s new heart.

“Old Hatfield is already home to an eclectic mix of exciting businesses – from semiconductor providers to manufacturers and creatives to fintech firms with a focus on new technologies.”

And it’s the location that is a key part of the appeal.

“The geography of Hatfield just works,” he says. “Twenty-five minutes into King’s Cross, 50–60 minutes up to Cambridge. Airports are close by. That’s great for business connections.”

At the same time, tenants benefit from access to Hatfield Park, which features acres of beautiful parkland perfect for walking and exercising – making Old Hatfield a rare combination of connectivity and green space.

Retail, Food and Everyday Life

The Salisbury Square development sits directly opposite Hatfield railway station, and here passenger numbers tell their own story: recent figures show 2.4 million people travel through Hatfield station each year.

And it’s that footfall that underpins the vision for the ground floor of Salisbury Square.

“The optimum mix has to be centred around a food and beverage outlet,” Philip explains. “The Estate is quite keen to find that sort of relaxed dining experience – good food, appropriate drink, and relatively fast-paced, creating turnover and energy.”

Around this, he envisages artisan retailers and traders, with makers and bakers adding to the mix.

For local residents and workers, the focus is on activation rather than just architecture. Philip is clear that many of the questions from businesses and residents have been “less about the buildings and more about the activation – what events they can expect and what occupiers will be in those retail and restaurant spaces”.

It’s a question that prompts Philip to lean forward and outline a line of thinking that is rapidly evolving into a programme of activities.

“We talk about adding vibrancy,” he says, “but that has to come through a series of curated events.” Current plans include a monthly farmers’ market and Food Truck Fridays.

The team is actively ensuring that the infrastructure will support this vision, says Philip.

From May 2026 onwards, following the scheduled end of the build, Old Hatfield’s local community will be able to enjoy the new public realm. Philip outlines what people can expect to see:

• Outdoor dining for the new restaurant and existing coffee shops, such as Sustain, enhancing their presence and visibility.
• Renewed green space with benches and seating.
• Parking spaces with electric car charging points for residents and businesses.

“All of this is scheduled to be accessible from May onwards when the local community and visitors to the area will have access to those areas. It’s pretty exciting.”

Homes and Workspaces, Side-by-Side

Salisbury Square is not just a workspace and retail destination – the development includes new homes that are scheduled for completion alongside the commercial elements.

“We’ve got five new townhouses which complete the street we know as Arm and Sword Lane,” Philip explains. “There’ll also be three apartments, one of which is the penthouse in the mixed-use block – all on the same programme. I’d expect that we’ll be welcoming new residents alongside new commercial tenants at the same time.”

The homes follow the Hatfield building code and, save for a few minor details, will be identical to the homes built on Gascoyne’s other schemes ten years ago, reinforcing the sense of continuity within Old Hatfield.

Progress and the Big Reveal

On-site, progress is tangible.

“The site is fast nearing completion,” Philip says. “When the scaffolding comes down, that’s a significant milestone, almost like an unveiling of the scheme.”

He believes that once the exterior is effectively complete, it will give the local community and prospective occupiers confidence that the building is very close to being finished.

Internally, the offices will offer a more contemporary feel than the traditional façades might suggest, with “services such as light fittings and cable trays exposed, and bare concrete ceilings giving a bit more of a contemporary edge”. Externally, the development has been designed as eight individual buildings, with “windows of different colours and different colour renders, stitched together with a zinc-clad central core”, Philip explains.

Landscape and finishes will echo the quality already seen in the Stable Yard at Hatfield Park, including well-maintained planting.

Salisbury Square remains on track to be completed in May 2026, with Boom Construction committed to maintaining the programme.

What Success Looks Like

Asked what success would look like 18 months after opening, Philip draws from his experience.

“I’ve had past experiences of other projects, and there’s nothing more satisfying than going back to a place where you were first involved in drawings, and then to go back in, say, 18 months, five years, or 10 years, and just to see the place working.

“For me, to walk down in 18 months and see people sitting on those benches or somebody sitting out having a coffee with a laptop on a table, or meeting a friend, that’s great. And I should be one of those people as well,” he says.

For tenants, success hinges on confidence and performance.

“We want consistent openings, we want them to be thriving, both with customers from the local area and – if our ambitions are being met – people from some of our neighbouring towns in North London, all sampling what’s going on in Old Hatfield.”

In other words, Salisbury Square is designed to be much more than new buildings. It is intended to be a working, lived-in heart for Old Hatfield – a place where homes, businesses, culture, and everyday life come together in a way that feels both familiar and distinctly its own.

Find out more about Old Hatfield and Salisbury Square.