A prominent office building along the M4 in Brentford, once the headquarters of GlaxoSmithKline, stands vacant after employees relocated to New Oxford Street in 2024. The 100,000-square-meter site, restricted to the public for over two decades, now gains new life through a Hounslow Council-approved redevelopment into a vibrant neighborhood.
Comprehensive Site Transformation
Spanning 13 acres, the project redevelops the existing tower and surrounding campus into five tower blocks. The original headquarters will house 239 apartments, contributing to more than 2,000 new homes overall. Developers aim to create a cultural hub featuring a bar, theatre, dance hall, cinema, virtual reality venue, and escape room.
Boston Place and The Underside
At the base of the main tower, Boston Place emerges as a lively public square with cafes, markets, and local shops, serving as the site’s central gathering spot for events. Beneath the highway flyover, ‘The Underside’ offers an industrial-style space ideal for cocktails and live poetry readings.
Housing and Commercial Details
Led by architectural firm Haworth Tompkins, the development includes 227 social housing units, 90 for immediate rent, 506 student accommodations, and 296 co-living spaces. Apartments in the main tower feature spacious designs, oversized balconies, large communal areas, shared amenities, and a rooftop conservatory. An additional 24,000 square meters of commercial space will generate 1,980 jobs.
Studio Egret West, the landscape architect, plans to preserve much of the original tower’s structure while promoting riverside living.
Approval Amid Challenges
Despite objections from Kew Gardens over excessive building heights impacting heritage assets, planning officers recommended approval. Hounslow Council describes the initiative as one of West London’s most ambitious growth and housing programs.
Andy Portlock, chief executive of Hadley Property Group, stated: “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. Alongside a pioneering approach to retrofit at this scale is a very clear commitment to people and place.”
