Work Begins Redesigning Landmark Building in Shepherd's Bush Road
Former Access Self Storage facility to become spectacular office building
Work to convert 184 Shepherd’s Bush Road into a global HQ for "customer science" specialists dunnhumby has begun.
The redevelopment of the former Access Self Storage facility, which will bring 1,000 jobs to the borough, will also see more than £200,000 spent to improve the surrounding area, including Little Brook Green opposite the building.
Cllr Nicholas Botterill, Hammersmith & Fulham Council Leader, marked the start of works on October 28 by welcoming the company to the borough. He was joined at the event by Mark Powell, of dunnhumby, who have signed a 15 year lease to take the entire 115,000 sq ft at the former Access Self Storage facility.
Also joining them were Roy Collado, the architect behind the project, and representatives from freeholder Westerland Real Estate and Access Self Storage, the agents involved in the transaction, the planning consultants and the borough.
Earlier this year H&F Council granted planning consent for a redesign by Collado Collins architects, including a modern three-storey addition and a stunning new glazed roof. As part of the planning agreement, around £200,000 will be spent improving the surrounding Brook Green area, including Little Brook Green directly opposite the building. There will also be funds available to install bikes as part of the Mayor’s Cycle Hire Scheme.
The Grade II listed building, which was built in 1916 and is famous for formerly being a Ford and Citroen garage and showroom, has been an Access Self Storage facility for the last 23 years. Work has now started to convert it into a high quality office space in time for the 1,000-strong dunnhumby team to relocate in 2016. The building is currently being stripped out and the main contractor, who will carry out the necessary conversion works, will be selected shortly. The designs for the building ensure that its rich industrial heritage will be retained.
Mark Powell, of dunnhumby, said: "The opportunity to find a building of real character, in a convenient location, with good sized floor plates where we can influence the design is very rare. We are able to create an office environment here that reflects and supports our company’s vision to help our clients get to know their customers and to build loyalty for a billion people by the year 2020. We look forward to progressing the design and build and establishing ourselves in the borough in 2016."
His company says it uses data and science to help companies to understand their customers, to meet their current needs, predict their future ones and keep them coming back for more.
Roy Collado, of architects Collado Collins, said:"So often we architects get to create brand new buildings, but there is a huge sense of achievement when you can create a new life for a famous old building and this is what we are doing here.
"184 Shepherds Bush Road will in many ways mirror larger more famous roof conversions such as the British Museum and the K21 Art Gallery, in Dusselldorf, and in its own way will create a great landmark at the west end of Brook Green here in Hammersmith."
October 31, 2013
