CBRE | Summer in the Piazza at Central Saint Giles
Bringing Southern Italian piazza life to central London
The Challenge
Central Saint Giles' Summer in the Piazza campaign needed an extra boost to bring it to life. In collaboration with CBRE, Kit & Caboodle transformed the estate's public space into a relaxed, Italian-inspired destination across three afternoons in August.
Emilia’s Crafted Pasta tossed truffle cacio e pepe straight from a wheel of Parmesan. Fresh lemonade, served in the shade of the lemon trees. The vintage Vespa quickly became the piazza’s most photographed guest. Fresh lemonade, served beneath a canopy of lemon trees. Casa Cannoli brought Sicilian sweetness straight to guests across the piazza. La dolce vita, without leaving central London. Sunhat on, deckchair found: a slice of the Italian summer, steps from the office. One scoop and every lunch break felt like a holiday. Homemade lemonade, served from a rustic market cart. A lunchtime escape, framed by citrus, greenery and sunshine.
Insight and Ambition
Italian piazzas are made for lingering: a game in the square, a sweet gelato treat in hand, conversations that stretch on long after lunch. Our ambition was to bottle that unhurried spirit. A consistent, colourful backdrop gave the estate a recognisable identity, while a line-up of food and creative moments that changed each week gave everyone a fresh reason to come back.
Petal by petal, guests crafted botanical keepsakes to take home. Ice-cold refreshment, poured to order under the citrus trees. Cheers to summer: the moments guests couldn’t wait to share. Bocce brought every generation together for a little friendly competition. A sunlit Thursday, and the piazza alive with visitors. Even the four-legged visitors couldn’t resist a stop at the piazza. Fan in hand, Vespa at the ready: the piazza in full holiday mode. Shirtsleeves, deckchairs and sunshine: the office never felt so far away.
Highlights
Lemon trees, bougainvillea, terracotta and overflowing fruit crates evoked a sun-drenched Southern Mediterranean market, with a vintage Vespa as the must-snap photo moment.
A mini bocce lane became the social heart of every gathering, drawing office workers and families alike into a little friendly competition.
Pressed-flower workshops invited guests to craft botanical bookmarks and cards to take home, with fresh lemonade adding to the summer ambiance.
Emilia's Crafted Pasta showcased the artistry of handmade pasta beside a traditional gelato cart, while Casa Cannoli sweetened the finale with freshly filled cannoli.
One piazza, three Thursdays and three new flavours of Italy: a weekly ritual that turned the August lunch break into la dolce vita.
Citrus-laden branches brought a burst of Southern Mediterranean colour. Proof that the best meetings happen under a lemon tree. Bold, colourful deckchairs invited passers-by to pull up a seat. New fans of the lemonade stand, and proud to show it. A rustic market cart, framed by lemons, lanterns and sunshine. Baskets overflowing with lemons set the sunny Mediterranean tone. The queue for lemonade became part of the fun. Creative workshops gave guests a handmade summer keepsake to take home. Lunch breaks moved outdoors as the piazza became the place to pause. Creativity flowed beneath the striped parasols.
