Seat Square

Seat Square
Seat Square in June 2020
Location	West New Leeds
Maintained by	Ministry of Transportation
Area	58.6 m² (630.7 sq ft)
Built	By 15 January 1946
Designated	28 December 2019 (street) 9 February 2020 (square)
Disestablished	1 November 2020 (New Eiffel's dissolution)

Seat Square was a public square in New Leeds, the largest city of the erstwhile Principality of New Eiffel. The only square in the principality, it was home to several businesses, including Smith Restaurant—the only restaurant in New Eiffel—XCUT Therapy, and a portion of New Eiffel Gardens. Public art was installed on Seat Square annually, and several short films by Z&jProductions were shot in the square. However, Seat Square had no public seating areas, and as a result activity on the square outside of special events and public holidays was infrequent. The area of Seat Square had originally existed since at least 15 January 1946 as the outside patio of a residential building in London. The Republic of New Finland—a distant predecessor to New Eiffel—first claimed the area on 4 January 2018; New Eiffel was established on 11 August, and on 28 December 2019, the Ministry of Transportation designated it as a street. Seat Street was re-designated as a public square on 9 February 2020. Seat Square permanently lost its designation after New Eiffel dissolved on 1 November.

History

Macronational

Walled garden fronting what was to become Seat Square, circa June 2007

Seat Square was originally built by 15 January 1946 as the outside patio of a residential building in London. It had a small walled garden and water feature—a fountain. The patio was also formerly covered by a veranda; estimates for its installation range from the late 1950s to 1970s. A detached shed was built between 1957 and 1961 that replaced much of the walled garden. The shed was electrified in 1972. By the 1980s, the shed had been converted into a greenhouse. By at least the early 1990s, the greenhouse had become overgrown, and it was demolished by 1999. The pile of bricks remained there until being cleared in September 2010. The water feature was removed on 18 May 2008, and the final remaining wall of the former garden was removed in late 2010. A wooden patio was constructed over the north side of what was to become Seat Square in early March 2014; it was renovated between 11–15 May 2015 before being removed on 9 February 2016 after the wood had started to rot.

Micronational

Seat Square first became located within the territory of New Eiffel upon being claimed by the Republic of New Finland—a distant predecessor to New Eiffel—on 4 January 2018. The veranda was removed between 17 March and 7 April. The republic was succeeded by the Kingdom of New Finland on 4 June, and finally by New Eiffel on 11 August. On 28 December 2019, the New Eiffelic Ministry of Transportation began designating streets. The first two streets designated were ǃkhās Street and Seat Street. The name was chosen due to the amount of seating in the area. On 9 February 2020, the Ministry changed Seat Street's designation from a street to a public square, making it the only such square in the history of the micronation. Seat Square permanently lost its designation after New Eiffel dissolved on 1 November.

Geography and amenities

Smith Restaurant

Seat Square, shaped like a near-perfect rectangle, had an area of 58.6 m² (630.7 sq ft). Located entirely in New Leeds, the largest city of the principality, Seat Square was defined by the New Eiffel–United Kingdom North Border to the north, the Main Building to the east, the New Eiffel–United Kingdom South Border to the south, and the rugbull field in Plitvice to the west. A portion of New Eiffel Gardens fronting the north border was located on the square, above a privately-owned events venue. Also on the square was Smith Restaurant—the only restaurant in New Eiffel—and XCUT Therapy, both of which were attached to the Main Building. In transport, Worker's Street led to New Leeds Alley, an alleyway used to transport bicycles, waste containers, building materials and machinery from the United Kingdom into New Eiffel. Both the New Eiffel Main Route 1 and J16 in Plitvice connected to Seat Square. New public art was installed on Seat Square annually. Additionally, several short films by Z&jProductions were shot in the square.

Square scene

Seat Square was the most popular location in New Eiffel for social gatherings, especially barbecues. Celebrations also commenced on the square during public holidays in New Eiffel, especially at the privately-owned events venue. During summers, Smith Restaurant would allocate sunloungers and outdoor seating on Seat Square, and during rugbull games on the rugbull field, temporary seating for spectators was usually installed on the square. However, Seat Square itself had no public seating areas, and as a result activity on the square outside of the aforementioned events was infrequent.

• 

  Cubes of Colour (2020)

• 

  Teacup Mirror

• 

  Garden Plant Obelisk (2020)

• 

  Smiths (25 May 2009)

See also

• Geography of New Eiffel