Once upon a time, orchards owned by the Rothschild family flourished here. Now, welcome to Chiswick Business Park. It stands in Gunnersbury, West London, fronting Chiswick High Road. This is no ordinary business park. It’s a place with a past and a vision for the future.
Let’s journey back to the early 20th century. The land transformed from orchards to a bus maintenance facility in 1921. The London General Omnibus Company operated it. Imagine 3,500 men working here at its peak. By 1985, only 700 remained. London Regional Transport closed it in 1990.
The early 1990s brought new plans. Terry Farrell & Partners designed a master plan. Foster Associates, Peter Foggo, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, and ABK Architects contributed designs. The vision included 11 buildings.
Ownership shifted. Kværner took over in 1996. In 1999, the Chiswick Park Unit Trust acquired it. Stanhope became the development manager. Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners created a new master plan. The first building opened in December 2000. The final one was completed in September 2015. Buildings vary from four to twelve floors.
Ownership changed again. The Blackstone Group bought Chiswick Business Park in 2011. In 2014, China Investment Corporation became the owner. Blackstone retained building 7. Stanhope repurchased it in 2020. Abrdn owns building 8.
Consider the architecture. “The Buildings of England” calls it “a galaxy of famous names.” It contrasts the park’s layout with other unplanned office blocks.
A footbridge opened in January 2019. It connects the business park to Chiswick Park tube station. This makes commuting easier. The Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve lies nearby.
Today, Chiswick Business Park hosts many tenants. CBS, Danone, Ericsson, and Foxtons are here. IMG, Intelsat, Otis, and Paramount Pictures also call it home. You will also find PepsiCo, Seadrill, Singapore Airlines and Starbucks here. Tullow Oil and United International Pictures are among the residents. Richmond, The American International University in London, moved here in 2022.
Stanhope believes people are more important than bricks. They shaped Chiswick Park with this in mind. This people-first approach drives great design.
Chiswick Business Park offers 12 buildings on a 33-acre site. It delivers a people-centric destination. Individuals and businesses exchange ideas freely. Happier people are more productive. So, everyone benefits.
In 2020, Stanhope purchased Building 7. Pernod Ricard, Starbucks, and British American Tobacco are major tenants. Stanhope’s asset management team manages it.
Before the pandemic, about ten thousand office workers bustled here daily. The Park has remained open throughout. Some businesses operate 24/7.
The Park introduced safety measures early. They used high-grade filters to clean the air. The Park recommends vaccination. However, it is a personal choice.
Pladis, the company behind McVitie’s, now has its global head office here. The Park continues to attract awards. It’s known as one of the most user-friendly places to work.
And now you know a bit more about the vibrant and evolving Chiswick Business Park. It’s a place where business and people come together.