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KEW BRIDGE GATE
THE MULTI-MILLION-POUND REGENERATION OF THE AREA AROUND KEW BRIDGE IN WEST LONDON IS UNITED BY TWO THEMES: HEALTHY LIVING AND COMMUNITY
Two of the key projects forming part of the area’s transformation are Kew Bridge Gate – a scheme that once completed will deliver nearly 1,000 new homes and a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, cafes and gardens – and the new 17,250-seater Brentford Community Stadium, home to Premier League newcomers Brentford Football Club.
Both projects are led by developer EcoWorld London, which is also redeveloping the nearby Griffin Park stadium, Brentford Football Club’s former home.
The entire scheme aims to comprehensively regenerate three existing parcels of land in TW8, located next to Kew Bridge railway station.
The site sits underneath the Heathrow flight path, on brownfield land between three railway lines – all bringing their own challenges to the design and delivery. One of the railway lines must remain functional throughout the build, meaning that strict regulations must be followed, particularly when hoisting elements into place.
Lynn Algar, Director of JTP architects, who is designing one phase of the scheme, said: “Accessibility to the new neighbourhood will be enhanced through a series of new connections, increased commercial and retail space at street level, as well as high-quality public realm, all serving to provide a welcoming landscape for residents and visitors alike.”
Along with considered use of colour, brickwork and the distribution of openings, the massing of the residential buildings has been designed to complement the strong lines of the nearby stadium and to connect the buildings together into a single architectural composition.
Kew Bridge Gate is a mixed-tenure development, comprising of private residential homes, part of a scheme called Verdo, and build-to-rent homes to be managed by Apo LDN. Residents could choose to rent one of the Apo LDN homes, then buy a home in the Verdo development once they are ready. The three blocks at Verdo comprise of studio, one, two and three-bed apartments which launched for sale in 2019.
“The new homes at Verdo are designed to suit the needs of the post-Covid buyer, reflecting the increasing demand for community living and suitable work-from-home facilities,” said Sarah Nolan-Watt, Head of Sales at EcoWorld London. There will be a residents’ lounge, with social and work areas as well as a private dining area and meeting room.
The residents’ lounge leads directly out to landscaped podium gardens, where there are children’s play areas, pergolas and open lawns. Properties also come with access to communal terraces and many have their own private ones. Green roofs will be installed on roofs where possible and the planting focuses on native species. There is also a gym and secure bike storage on the site to encourage healthy lifestyles. The construction team is using the Byldis system, where components of the buildings are manufactured and assembled in factories before being installed on site, to build the Verdo apartments. This reduces wastage as well as the carbon impact of the build. Creating prefabricated and modular buildings such as these uses up to a third less energy than traditional building methods
Delivery of the overall regeneration scheme has been phased, with each element being led by different architecture practices.
Phase 1, the build-to-rent element, was led by Broadway Malayan, while JTP Architects oversaw Phase 2 (Verdo Kew Bridge). The third and final phase is to be led by Allies and Morrison.
Cliff Crown, Chairman of Brentford Football Club, said: “As well as creating a brand new stadium for our supporters and an attractive environment for visitors and local residents, this project will create jobs, desperately-needed homes and opportunities for local businesses.”
EcoWorld London’s aim is to create a positive and lasting legacy for the whole Kew Bridge community – and not simply future residents. It is providing more than 200 employment opportunities every year until the development’s expected completion in 2023. The company has also launched a pre-employment training scheme, which is offering training on its construction sites worth £2,000 per person, to unemployed people locally that will enable them to work in construction at the London Living Wage.
