The Award-Winning Brentford Project
16 December 2024
Ballymore’s multi-award-winning The Brentford Project is an impressive riverside development in West London on the River Brent which spans 4.79 hectares and combines retail, residential and recreational space.
At its heart, the regeneration and development of the brownfield site seeks to reconnect Brentford High Street and surrounding areas to the waterfront through a series of pedestrianised yards and lanes, whilst retaining the industrial character and heritage of the area. This year it was awarded ‘Regeneration Scheme of the Year’ by The British Home Awards and Development of the Year at the PROPs Awards.
Marina Projects involvement began in 2021 in connection with the first phase of the project and was commissioned by Ballymore for the concept and technical design of Workhouse Dock, to create permanent moorings for short-term narrowboats as well as public leisure uses like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, floating cinemas, and events spaces.
After consulting with the development team and considering the landside scheme and user groups’ requirements, a concept options study was carried out to ascertain Workhouse Dock’s potential in terms of usage, access level, and infrastructure requirements. Included in the scope were the Dock’s technical design and specifications, the creation of tender documents, and serving as Ballymore’s advisor during the construction process, final inspection, and handover. We further supported Ballymore with specialist advice relating to a tidal water level assessment and recommendations with regards to the retained water level within the Dock for design purposes.
Following on from our work on Workhouse Dock, Marina Projects was again commissioned by Ballymore to provide specialist marina consultancy services for a similar scope of work for the second phase of the project, Town Wharf, a further basin within the site. In contrast to the lively Workhouse Dock, the Town Wharf basin will have a distinct character which is more peaceful, family orientated and aimed at long term residential narrowboats.
At present, Town Wharf is subject to the full tidal range of the Thames, with the basin drying at low tide revealing the riverbed. This exposure is considered less than desirable, compromising the value of the Wharf to the development and preferred vision, it is also a less attractive offer for boat owners. This presented a unique challenge, to explore solutions that impound water within the Wharf with a cill structure. The option selected by Ballymore of a fixed cill will be developed into a technical design.
Marina Projects is currently coordinating with the development team on the technical design of Town Wharf and providing specialist advice and recommendation for the height of the cill, in order to allow vessels tidal access/egress to the Town Wharf.
Workhouse Dock celebrated its official opening in June 2024 with the community-led Brentford Canal Festival and Ballymore’s own Festival on the Water showcasing the transformation of the area as the dynamic and active ‘heart’ of the development with a floating stage for live performances and members of the public enjoying being on or by the water creating a sense of community and connection with the water.
Working with Marina Projects has been instrumental to our strategy for the waterways within The Brentford Project.
Despite its advantageous location at the apex of the River Thames and River Brent, Brentford has historically failed to realise its waterside potential due to a disconnect between the high street and the waterfront. The Brentford Project, with the support of Marina Projects’ work, addresses this by increasing access to the water and creating new community hubs along the water’s edge.
Richard Pearce, Senior Development Manager, Ballymore
The Brentford Project has presented a unique set of design challenges which we have successfully overcome, and the Marina Projects team continues to enjoy working with Ballymore to realise their vision for the project.
The inland waterways nature of the project has benefited from Marina Projects breadth of skills and experience across the marine leisure sector and the project as a whole demonstrates the potential that can be released from redundant water spaces.
Phil Dunn, Technical Director, Marina Projects
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