A FORMER Ford Motor Company garage and showroom is to be converted into a six-storey office block.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council planners have approved Access Self-Storage’s plans to add three storeys to the Grade II listed building which will be housed under a curved glass dome.
The building, at 184 Shepherd’s Bush Road, Brook Green, has a rich history: it was built next to the Great Western Railway in 1916 so cars coming into west London could be loaded directly into bays at the rear of the building. It was taken over by Citroen in 1926 and then requisitioned by the government in the Second World War as warehouse and maintenance depot for the RAF. In later years it was used as a light bulb factory and is now owned by Access Self-Storage.
Roy Collado, a partner in architects ColladoCollins, said: “This is an exciting re-imagining of an important landmark. The designs maintain the industrial heritage of the building and the surrounding area. The use of innovative techniques to inform and influence the design is something that we believe could really enhance the site.”
The building is opposite Brook Green conservation area and the architects say the redevelopment will be sympathetic to it.
A report to the planning committee stated that the Hammersmith Society commends the planned use of the building and the design of its glazed dome in particular.
The society wrote: “The design successfully and graciously completes the top half of a building that was left unfinished at the onset of the First World War. It thus balances the building upwardswhile maintaining an agreeable and airy view looking west across Brook Green."
The directors of the Friends of Brook Green also support the applications for refurbishment and re-development. They too say the proposals are “an elegant and imaginative re-development” that has visual appeal, will revive the area and provide significant employment in the vicinity. It sensitively addresses issues of height, streetscape and the interests of its immediate neighbours.
“It will attract high quality tenants,” it said.
It pointed out, however, that the 750-850 employees who are expected to occupy the offices will put pressure on an already heavily used Brook Green park.
