The Richmond Magazine - September 2008
New quarter given
Danielle Simpson on how Brentford is turning history into a haven of style
Ten years ago, Brentford was an ugly duckling. Today, major regeneration plans and stylish riverside developments have placed the area firmly on the map. Less than 10 miles from the centre of London, Brentford is a magnet for young professionals who can afford to live within splashing distance of the Thames.
Crowned Housing Project of the Year at this year's Mail on Sunday British Homes Awards, Great West Quarter (GWQ) is perhaps the most iconic project here to date. Located on the Great West Road, the site was purchased five years ago by Barratt Homes and, when complete, will provide 773 apartments - from studio to three-bedroom - along with shops, offices, restaurants, bars, art gallery, health club and hotel. This is a brand new community in the making, and big names such as Novotel and the InterContinental Hotel Group are already on board.
At the heart of it all, Wallis House is an art deco landmark offering commercial space and residential apartments. As Brentford embraces the 21st Century, it's interesting to recall that the designer of this sumptuous building, Wallis Gilbert & Partners, was also responsible for other architectural symbols from the 1930s of London's economic advance. The nearby Hoover Building and Victoria Coach Station are just two of the icons on its CV.
Wallis House is one of the last three remaining buildings on what was once known as 'The Golden Mile', home to the factories of Firestone, Gillette and Lincoln Cars. The first apartments were completed this summer and, as buyers start to move in, local lettings agent Gerald Fitz-Gibbon is thrilled to see the community take off.
"When Glaxo SmithKline vacated the premises in 2003, locals were anxious to see what would become of the site," he explains. "Fortunately, resident groups, heritage bodies and the local authority were all involved early on. It's exciting to see a once derelict site become such a big part of our community."
Fitz-Gibbon has been in the Richmond and Chiswick area for over 20 years and, as an independent letting agent, boasts a rental appraisal service invaluable to both developers and investors. Adam Lawrence, Regional Managing Director of Barratt London and the Thames Gateway, is among its admirers.
"GWQ is one of the jewels in our London crown," he enthuses. "So it's crucial that all our information is sound. Fitz-Gibbon has a solid reputation and is one of the agents upon whom we have come to rely."
With good reason. Fitz-Gibbon has already appraised such successful nearby projects as Holland Gardens, Ferry Quays and Brentford Lock, making it the logical choice of lettings agent for the scheme.
"Brentford is one of the most competitively priced areas close to Central London," reflects Gerald Fitz-Gibbon. "Many GWQ residents will be young professionals working up in town or in the IT and electronic industries along the M4 and A3 corridors, perhaps seeking their first home or a sense of community close to good transport links."
"The multinational market sector will value the fact that everything here is brand new, while the intelligent landscaping provides the acres of green space so coveted in this part of London."
Few people can honestly claim to live in a home designed by the Architect of the Year, but Assael Architects - responsible for the design of GWQ - received the industry's top honour earlier in 2008.
And, while Barratt has just 30 units still available to buy in Wallis House (£199,995 - £360,000), Fitz-Gibbon currently has six rental properties on offer, including a studio apartment at £207pw, four one-bed properties ranging from £280 to £325pw, and a two-bedroom apartment for £410pw. Meanwhile, Beecham House has the first newly built homes at GWQ, starting at £225,000.
As a bonus, first-time buyers can move into an apartment for 85% of the purchase price, while owning 100% of the property (subject to t7c). With the challenges in the UK housing market, it's projects like GWQ that keep London at the top of the tree, while bringing less familiar areas such as Brentford into the light of the sun.
For information on investing in GWQ contact Gerald Fitz-Gibbon at Fitz-Gibbon. Tel (020) 8892 8921