ON THE HOUSE New quarter given Danielle Simpson on how is turning history into a haven of style

Wallis House, GWQ, where Fitz-Gibbon has Wallis House one-bedroom show apartment and (top) Wallis properties to rent from £207pw. Tel: (020) 8995 3335 House during the 1940s. Images courtesy of Barratt

en years ago, Brentford was an ugly “When Glaxo SmithKline vacated the foyer. Image courtesy of Barratt duckling. Today, major regeneration premises in 2003, locals were anxious to see T plans and stylish riverside what would become of the site,” he explains. developments have placed the area firmly “Fortunately, resident groups, heritage bodies on the map. Less than 10 miles from the and the local authority were all involved centre of London, Brentford is a magnet early on. It’s exciting to see a once derelict site for young professionals who can afford to become such a big part of our community.” live within splashing distance of the Fitz-Gibbon has been in the Richmond Thames. and area for over 20 years and, Crowned Housing Project of the Year as an independent letting agent, boasts a at this year’s Mail on Sunday British rental appraisal service invaluable to both Homes Awards, Great West Quarter developers and investors. Adam (GWQ) is perhaps the most iconic project Lawrence, Regional Managing Director of here to date. Located on the Great West Barratt London and the Thames Gateway, is Road, the site was purchased five years among its admirers. “GWQ is one of the jewels in our London ago by Barratt Homes and, when complete, crown,” he enthuses. “So it’s crucial that all will provide 773 apartments – from studio our information is sound. Fitz-Gibbon has a to three-bedroom – along with shops, solid reputation and is one of the agents upon offices, restaurants, bars, art gallery, health whom we have come to rely.” club and hotel. This is a brand new With good reason. Fitz-Gibbon has community in the making, and big names already appraised such successful nearby such as Novotel and the InterContinental And, while Barratt has just 30 units still projects as Holland Gardens, Ferry Quays Hotel Group are already on board. available to buy in Wallis House (£199,995 and Brentford Lock, making it the logical At the heart of it all, Wallis House is an – £360,000), Fitz-Gibbon currently has six choice of lettings agent for the scheme. art deco landmark offering commercial rental properties on offer, including a “Brentford is one of the most competitively space and residential apartments. As studio apartment at £207pw, four one-bed priced areas close to Central London,” Brentford embraces the 21st Century, it’s properties ranging from £280 to £325pw, reflects Gerald Fitz-Gibbon. “Many GWQ interesting to recall that the designer of residents will be young professionals working and a two-bedroom apartment for Wallis Gilbert & this sumptuous building, up in town or in the IT and electronic £410pw. Meanwhile, Beecham House has Partners, was also responsible for other industries along the M4 and A3 corridors, the first newly built homes at GWQ, architectural symbols from the 1930s of perhaps seeking their first home or a sense of starting at £225,000. London’s economic advance. The nearby community close to good transport links. As a bonus, first-time buyers can move Hoover Building and “The multinational market sector will into an apartment for 85% of the purchase are just two of the icons on its CV. value the fact that everything here is brand price, while owning 100% of the property Wallis House is one of the last three new, while the intelligent landscaping (subject to t&c). With the challenges in the remaining buildings on what was once provides the acres of green space so coveted in UK housing market, it’s projects like known as ‘The Golden Mile’, home to the this part of London.” GWQ that keep London at the top of the factories of Firestone, Gillette and Lincoln Few people can honestly claim to live in tree, while bringing less familiar areas such Cars. The first apartments were completed a home designed by the Architect of the as Brentford into the light of the sun. this summer and, as buyers start to move Year, but Assael Architects – responsible for I For information on investing in GWQ in, local lettings agent Gerald Fitz-Gibbon the design of GWQ – received the contact Gerald Fitz-Gibbon at Fitz- is thrilled to see the community take off. industry’s top honour earlier in 2008. Gibbon. Tel: (020) 8892 8921

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