Lend Lease’s plans for 137 new homes along with retail space on Chiswick High Road have been approved.
The development of 408–430 Chiswick High Road, designed by Assael Architecture for Lend Lease, will provide 137 new homes, together with 8,783 square feet of retail space and enhancements to the public realm along Essex Place.
The site is currently dominated by Empire House, an outdated office block opposite Turnham Green which has been vacant for a number of years. This will be redeveloped into 64 new homes with, according to the architects, “an elegant façade that will complement the local architecture”.
In addition to this, 46 new residential apartments and four townhouses will be provided along Essex Place and a further 21 new apartments on the corner of Acton Lane. The majority of the new homes will have private amenity spaces and access to communal rooftop gardens.
The development will aim to improve the retail offering along Chiswick High Road with the introduction of high-quality design shop fronts which complement and add to the charm of the existing retail on the High Road.
Enhancements to the public realm along Essex Place will, it is hoped, transform the link between Chiswick Park station and the open space of Essex Place Square into a safe, pedestrian friendly environment.
As part of the planning agreement, Lend Lease will provide 16 new affordable homes (intermediate shared ownership) representing 21 per cent of the total number of new units which are subject to affordable housing requirements.
Assael Architecture Director, Pete Ladhams, commented: “We are delighted that consent has been granted to transform this derelict office block and inactive stretch of Chiswick High Road into an attractive and vibrant new destination. The development will deliver high quality homes, including affordable and family housing, and a new public realm that creates a sense of place, improving the character of the conservation area and harnessing local heritage assets.”
