Application Submitted for Huge Studio Complex by Gillette Building
Film production capacity at the site would be doubled
A visualisation of the entrance to the planned new studio complex. Picture: Gensler
September 3, 2024
A planning application (P/2024/2843) has now been submitted to allow a major expansion of film production around the Gillette Building.
An outline of the film studio campus on the 4.4 hectare plot designed by Gensler for The Vinyl Factory was revealed earlier this year. The designs submitted are substantially unchanged from those published previously.
The redevelopment aims to preserve the heritage of the Grade II listed Gillette and NatWest buildings while doubling the size of facilities for digital content creation. This includes retaining and refurbishing existing heritage buildings and constructing new sound stages. The plan also includes production offices, workshops, and a café.
The Gillette Building site, located within the Great West Road Industrial Business Park and formerly the European headquarters for Gillette, is already used for film production by The Vinyl Factory which has run the site since 2013.
Films produced at the site include Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Fox) – 2015, Allied (Paramount Pictures) – 2016, Bohemian Rhapsody (Fox) – 2018, Infinite (Paramount Pictures) – 2020 and All the Old Knives (Amazon) – 2021.
A CGI of the of the proposed development viewed from Great West Road. Picture: Gensler
The Gillette factory building is to be retained and refurbished into predominantly office and support spaces for the studios. Other buildings on the site that hold heritage value, such as the Engineer’s House, the NatWest Bank, and the main part of the non-listed Campbells Building, would also be retained.
Permission is being sought to demolish the Old Mould shop, Caxton Building, Vanmatic Building, the rear/north wing of Campbells Building and associated outbuildings.
New buildings would be erected to house studios for virtual production, film and digital content creation, comprising sound stages and offices.
The applicant claims that the development could provide 2,000 jobs at the site with a further 2,000 jobs supported in the local supply chain.
A CGI of the aerial view of the proposed development. Picture: Gensler
The Vinyl Factory has a track record of repurposing historic and listed buildings through investing in creative industry led businesses. Its principal operation is at 180 Studios in 180 Strand, WC2 which now includes a collection of studios equipped with LED and digital technology for productions, events, conferences and exhibitions.
The iconic building at the junction of the Great West Road and Syon Lane operated as a factory for Gillette until 2006 when the company moved production to Poland.
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