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If you’ve been on the motorway into or out of central London (on the M4, to be specific) you’ve likely seen GlaxoSmithKline’s imposing old Brentford HQ. Massive and grey, the former biopharma headquarters has been sitting empty since 2024.
But GSK’s behemoth won’t be uninhabited much longer. This month the local council approved plans to turn the place into an entire new neighbourhood, complete with its own cinema, bar and dancehall.
The project is led by Haworth Tompkins and involves Metropolitan Workshop, dRMM and Studio Egret West. The developer was also behind the plans for Brent Cross West and Earl’s Court, as well as Mayfield Park in Manchester.
Once completed, GSK’s old haunts will have a whopping 2,324 homes. Most of the headquarters will be demolished, with basements remaining and the main office tower being redesigned with ‘oversized balconies’ and a rooftop conservatory.
Given that this is a proper ‘neighbourhood’, it’ll have more than just housing. In fact, west London could be getting a new cultural destination. In total, 30,000 square metres is being reserved for commercial use, including a bar, cinema, theatre, dance hall, immersive VR space and even an escape room. Studio Egret West’s plans will see 60 percent of the space remain open to the public with stuff like communal gardens, play areas and riverside access.
Not everyone has been in favour of the plans. Kew Gardens and Historic England raised concerns that the redevelopment would impact the views from the iconic London park. The council itself voiced concerns around whether it slots into the London Plan, Sadiq Khan’s pathway to make half of all new homes affordable and reduce London’s carbon footprint.
Andy Portlock, chief executive of Hadley Property Group (which owns the land) said: ‘Reaching this milestone – the first of many for this project – is down to the way we’ve been able to work with a local authority that is genuinely committed to growth and has a clear strategic vision for one of the most exciting places in London.’
This isn’t the only vast new neighbourhood being planned in London – Whitechapel stands to get its own £750 million area for NHS workers while Woodberry Down in the northeast of the city is finally set to be completed soon.
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