Consider this: before Westfield London stood here, this land was part of the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition. Westfield London is more than just a shopping center. It’s a destination with a story etched into its very foundations.
Westfield London opened its doors on 30 October 2008. It quickly became the largest covered shopping center in London. The Westfield Group developed it at a cost of £1.6 billion. It stands on a brownfield site. This site once hosted the Franco-British Exhibition.
The initial site clearance involved demolishing the remaining halls from the exhibition. These halls had cheap white facades. Some say this is how White City got its name. Precautions were needed during demolition. They expected to find unexploded bombs from World War II raids. A munitions factory was nearby.
An Underground railway depot was also on the site. It had to stay operational. A new depot was built underground. This allowed Westfield London to be built above both depots. The old depot was then demolished.
The initial plan for Westfield London came from a consortium. Multiplex, an Australian property company, was the largest company involved. However, Multiplex faced heavy financial losses. They sold their stake to the Westfield Group.
Westfield Construction, the developer’s construction arm, built the center. The project took five years. It employed 8,000 people. A partnership scheme trained 3,000 local people. This ensured local residents got many of the center’s jobs. At opening, 40% of the management staff were locally recruited.
Westfield London boasts 2.6 million square feet of retail space. This makes it the largest shopping center in Europe. You’ll find over 320 stores here. These include well-known brands like John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Primark.
Westfield London also offers a high-end retail area called The Village. Here, you can find luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
The center’s opening wasn’t without challenges. The financial crisis caused a swift fall in shoppers. Some shops were forced to close in 2009. Despite this, Westfield London reported increased sales in 2010. This was due to a large number of tourist shoppers.
In 2012, Hammersmith & Fulham Council approved a 700,000 sq ft extension. The extension opened in phases in 2018. This expansion solidified Westfield London as Europe’s largest shopping center.
Westfield London has excellent transport connections. These improvements serve the shopping center and the surrounding area. Two Underground stations serve the center Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush.
The Dimco Buildings are nearby. They are Grade II listed red brick buildings. Originally, they were an electricity generating station. They even served as the Acme Factory in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Westfield London has transformed this area of London. It stands as a testament to retail and entertainment. As you explore Westfield London, remember its rich history and the transformation it represents.