Squires unveils Old Oak Common twin towers plans

The two skyscrapers – which would be up to 33-storeys tall - are the stand-out elements of a redevelopment of the former Elizabeth Arden factory in the west London development zone, which is scheduled to become a transport hub with the arrival of Crossrail and HS2.

Developer Essential Living’s plans for the 1.16ha site in Wales Farm Road would remove all current buildings, except for the north-western façade of the current factory building. The private-rented specialist said the retained structure would underscore an ‘Art Deco influence’ for the scheme, which is dubbed ‘The Perfume Factory’.

Under outline proposals lodged with London Mayor Boris Johnson’s Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, the development would provide a mix of flats, four bedroom houses, 6,147m² of live-work space, 2,175m² of business space and 1,381m² of retail and restaurant space.

Development director Quentin Keeble said the scheme would also feature a winter garden and a ‘ladder’ of commercial space that enabled start-ups to graduate from shared desk space to larger office environments.

‘We are also highly focused on improving the public realm and enhance the local area and we believe the Perfume Factory gives Ealing the ideal chance to develop its first digital hub and tap into London’s booming digital economy,’ he said.

Earlier this week, Johnson’s office announced that Design Council CABE had been appointed to set up and manage an independent review group tasked with improving the quality of development proposals for the corporation area.

It said the appointment had been made following a competitive tender process and that the review group would operate along the planning, landscape, conservation, and engineering (PLACE) principles set out in last year’s Farrell Review.

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation area straddles three London boroughs and is earmarked for the delivery of up to 25,500 new homes.