Another White City Site Gone!!

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P Block Ealing

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Jan 3, 2012
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Imperial College has gained planning for the second phase of its new campus site in West London.

The mixed-use Imperial West scheme will be built on the former BBC site on Wood Lane in White City, west London.

It brings together a range of uses including academic and research facilities, with commercial and residential space around a new London square.

The building work is expected to cost £80m-plus and could start early next year.



The most controversial element is a 34-storey landmark residential tower block that has been dubbed the “poor man’s Shard” by protestors.

Imperial West has been designed by architects Aukett Fitzroy Robinson and PLP Architecture.

Imperial West building project

Health and biomedical research building
Building for new technology start-up businesses developed by Imperial Innovations
Postgraduate facilities
New homes – 1, 2, and 3 bedroom private, NHS and College key worker homes
New London square the size of Soho Square
Four-star hotel
Local convenience services – including retail, pharmacy, healthcare services, early years’ education nursery

John Anderson, Imperial West Project Director, said: “Imperial West will build on and further develop the College’s existing strengths in engineering, the physical sciences and biomedicine and will become a second major campus for Imperial College London.

The re-development will improve the urban environment, visual appearance and access to a site which had been closed to the public for many decades.”

“This decision is good news for White City, for Hammersmith & Fulham and for London, and will provide Imperial College with new postgraduate teaching and research facilities which will ensure it remains one of the world’s leading academic institutions.”

Contractor ISG is due to finish the first phase this month of four, 10-storey accommodation blocks for 600 students on the site.


'I know it's a bit harsh but we need to pull our finger out, we can't leave West London'
 
The old BBC site on Wood Lane hasn't "gone" - it was never there.

For the umpteenth time, we couldn't have that for a stadium because the doughnut (which would have sat mid-pitch) is Grade 2 listed and therefore cannot be demolished.
 
well if this has gone then its not where the stadium will be ... TF said it will be in w12 and so it shall be unless things change ... what's the problem?
 
West London Willy said:
The old BBC site on Wood Lane hasn't "gone" - it was never there.

For the umpteenth time, we couldn't have that for a stadium because the doughnut (which would have sat mid-pitch) is Grade 2 listed and therefore cannot be demolished.
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Sorry lads, but both the above and the OP are incorrect.

The key phrase in the article you're missing is "second phase of its new campus". The BBC site being referred to is the old BBC Worldwide buildings just to the north of the A40 flyover. This site was actually sold off about 4 years ago, and a new campus for Imperial College students is already half built. All this article refers to is the second phase of this building work, which was controversial because of the height of the proposed new building, which doesn't fit in with the surrounding area. It was famously opposed by several big names, including Damon Albarn.

However, there are still two remaining BBC sites on Wood Lane, both of which are being vacated by the BBC by 2014. One is the TV Centre building, which is only partially listed (the facade and the doughnut are protected). Nevertheless, whether there is enough remaining space for a stadium on this site is questionable. The second site is slightly further up Wood Lane at the junction of South Africa Road. This is the site of the old White City Olympic Stadium, and the BBC is set to move out when it’s lease runs out in 2014. This site is still a real possibility as a location for a new stadium.
 
Taarabt In My Kitchen said:
Sorry lads, but both the above and the OP are incorrect.

The key phrase in the article you're missing is "second phase of its new campus". The BBC site being referred to is the old BBC Worldwide buildings just to the north of the A40 flyover. This site was actually sold off about 4 years ago, and a new campus for Imperial College students is already half built. All this article refers to is the second phase of this building work, which was controversial because of the height of the proposed new building, which doesn't fit in with the surrounding area. It was famously opposed by several big names, including Damon Albarn.

However, there are still two remaining BBC sites on Wood Lane, both of which are being vacated by the BBC by 2014. One is the TV Centre building, which is only partially listed (the facade and the doughnut are protected). Nevertheless, whether there is enough remaining space for a stadium on this site is questionable. The second site is slightly further up Wood Lane at the junction of South Africa Road. This is the site of the old White City Olympic Stadium, and the BBC is set to move out when it’s lease runs out in 2014. This site is still a real possibility as a location for a new stadium.
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And these other sites mentioned are perhaps slipping by because Tony has already got his sights set on a specific place.
 
Even if the Wood Lane site wasn't in its second phase it would not be suitable for a stadium. Far too small and ringed by the fly over, the railway and houses. Completed non-starter.

BBC TV Centre is also a non-runner as the site is virtually un-buildable (if that is a word!) because of the parts that are listed and there is no prospect of over-spill onto adjacent land as it is all residential.

Interesting that some are eyeing up the old White City Stadium site as this has been extensively developed and I have been told that despite many programmes being transfered to Salford and other regional studios that the BBC building there is so new and heavily used that the chances of it being vacated are slim. With news of others nabbing the Dairy site recently it looks like TF is running out of options in the West 12 area.

I would hate to have to move out towards Harrow or Uxbridge/Hillingdon as has been previously mentioned. How long before the club make an announcement?
 
GroveRanger:3204011 said:
Interesting that some are eyeing up the old White City Stadium site as this has been extensively developed and I have been told that despite many programmes being transfered to Salford and other regional studios that the BBC building there is so new and heavily used that the chances of it being vacated are slim.
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Hi Grove. I actually work in the BBC offices on the old White City Stadium site, and I can confirm that it has been announced to all staff that the BBC and BBC Worldwide are definitely completely vacating the premises by the end of 2014. Whether it's going to be financially viable to knock down the relatively new office buildings and then build a new stadium on the site I can't say, but it's certainly a possibility, and the BBC will definitely be gone very soon.
I share your concern as to potentially moving further west, and would strongly favour staying in W12 if at all possible. Plus I think W12 would work better as a location for a multi purpose stadium.
 
Taarabt In My Kitchen said:
Hi Grove. I actually work in the BBC offices on the old White City Stadium site, and I can confirm that it has been announced to all staff that the BBC and BBC Worldwide are definitely completely vacating the premises by the end of 2014. Whether it's going to be financially viable to knock down the relatively new office buildings and then build a new stadium on the site I can't say, but it's certainly a possibility, and the BBC will definitely be gone very soon.
I share your concern as to potentially moving further west, and would strongly favour staying in W12 if at all possible. Plus I think W12 would work better as a location for a multi purpose stadium.
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At last, a real ITK!! My insider used to work for the Beeb so only a friend of a friend sort of thing. Lovely shiny offices with ample parking in prime site would be snapped up normally, maybe we could benefit from the economic troubles and bag ourselves a bargain.
 
Seems like the White City site is the most likely and imo the best option for the club. We would be moving literally just down the road, and to a better location nearer two tube stations and the attraction of Westfield.
 
james the one said:
Fitzroy Robinson and PLP Architecture.
They were no good in the 60`s and even worse in the 70`s!! I know i used to do work for them, could not design mytoilett!!
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Out of interest, what did you do for them e.g are you an architect?

Im interested as Im on the road to being an architect, finished my degree last year.
 
[/QUOTE]

At last, a real ITK!! My insider used to work for the Beeb so only a friend of a friend sort of thing. Lovely shiny offices with ample parking in prime site would be snapped up normally, maybe we could benefit from the economic troubles and bag ourselves a bargain.[/QUOTE]
Haha! Yeah it would certainly be an ideal location, just hope TF and co can stump up the cash.
 
Flyer said:
The one thats already been bought and had designs for housing submitted to the council?
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Well that was the last I heard about it but I've been out the loop last couple of weeks as been away on business

Thanks for the info none the less
 
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