Gwynn’s proposed improvements between modern Moorgate and Bank.

Rare plan showing John Gwynn?s proposed improvements to the Mansion House, Royal Exchange, and Moorfields, orientated with north to the left. He plans an expansion of the Bank of England site near Bank Junction. Moorfields is still a public park here, of which large chunks were sold for housing development. Later developments also include modern Finsbury Square and Finsbury Circus. The red lines show an intention to regularize the street plan, replacing the irregular streets with a gridlike formation.
This map is one of four plans published by the Architect John Gwynn in his work 'London and Westminster Improved, Illustrated by Plans', in which he advocates a completely new street layout involving huge efforts and demolition of many buildings in the area. He calls for the commissioning of public works from British artists, and integrated urban planning for London. According to the Royal Academy "his proposals and maps foreshadow such developments as Regent Street, Waterloo Bridge, the Thames Embankment and Trafalgar Square".