Revamp of 245 Hammersmith Road Set to Begin Early in 2016

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New office building will provide 2,000 jobs, shops, restaurants and public space

Work will begin early in 2016 redeveloping 245 Hammersmith Road, formerly Bechtel House, one of the road's most prominent office buildings.

Owners Legal and General Property say that the new scheme, arranged over ten floors will provide flexible office accommodation providing up to 2,000 jobs and retail and restaurant space at ground level, as well as exciting new public space for the local community.

After acquiring the building in 2012, Legal and General Property were given planning permission in November last year for a £90 million complete revamp of the building, designed by architects Sheppard Robson.

Now plans for demolition of the original building have also been approved, and the new building is expected to be completed by summer 2017.

LGP bought the 1980s office block, on the south side of Hammersmith Road between Edith and Auriol Roads in August 2012 and say the new design reduces the mass of the development by forming the building from two parallel wings that are connected by a central core. 

The development will be stepped back from Hammersmith Road, creating a new plaza at the front that leads through to a podium garden.  A funicular lift mediates the 26 ft change of level between the two external spaces.

The office space has been designed to accommodate between one and 29 tenants and LGP say further connecting the office spaces and the development as a whole to the local community, it will include a business lounge at ground level and a café that will be open to the public.

Last year, as planning permission was granted, Sheppard Robson architect Mark Kowal said:
" The ambition and drive behind this project is to create a significant piece of contemporary architecture and a sense of place that responds to the adjacent Brook Green Conservation Area whilst also helping embed this new development within its surroundings.

" Through rethinking the form of the building we have created a sequence of outdoor spaces that connect the building to Hammersmith Road as well as unlocking the potential of the central garden space which is currently underused.  We are now working on completing the detailed design and look forward for the project starting on-site next year."

Simon Wilkes, Head of Business Space Development at Legal & General Property, said : "Allowing us to deliver a new improved future for 245 Hammersmith Road, last night’s decision is great step forward in the continued regeneration of Hammersmith, further supporting the growth of its established and dynamic office market.

" Paving the way for well-designed, modern, environmentally friendly development that accommodates up to 2,000 jobs while also providing significant new public space in the centre of Hammersmith, we look forward to being on site in 2015."

 

 

October 30, 2015