_Brentford Rising: How The Brentford Project is putting this West London suburb firmly on the map

Brentford. You've probably heard of it, might struggle to pinpoint the exact area on a map of London, but you'll certainly hear much more about this West London 'walkable neighbourhood' where regeneration, exciting job opportunities and new communities collide with green spaces, a vibrant creative scene and huge stretches of waterfront - a dominant theme and backdrop for all kinds of activities in Brentford.

Bordering Chiswick and Gunnersbury to the west, Ealing to the north and Kew and Richmond to the south, Brentford has traditionally been a postcode of two halves - one of a suburb of industry and business parks and the other of pretty, period homes and, more recently, of new developments sitting at the confluence of three waterways.

Touted as 'one of the best places to buy a home in' by the Evening Standard in 2020, regeneration has seen an uplift in homebuyers making a beeline for the area, attracted by its affordability, employment opportunities, choice of new homes and the communities forged around the freshly-built developments that line narrowboat-pocked waterways and join 370 acres of green spaces spread across parks, public gardens and woodland.

A theme often visited by Knight Frank Research is the notion of a 'walkable neighbourhood' - where virtually everything you need day-to-day can be found on your doorstep. Walkable neighbourhoods ultimately champion a better quality of life and are built around happy, thought-out spaces built for and around people, prioritising residents' wellbeing according to hierarchy of needs.

Findings suggest that a greater quality of life, improved mental and physical health and higher property values generally correlate with a good level of 'walkability'. With Covid-19 upending how and where we live and work alongside a greater focus on community, Brentford ticks many of the boxes that define this step change in urban development.

Firstly, it’s a complete neighbourhood with everything homebuyers need to build strong communities where residents can feel connected, fulfilled and happy - a key metric of a walkable neighbourhood. Within a short walk are everyday essentials such as supermarkets, schools, colleges and doctors’ surgeries to the things that enrich our lives such as a thriving high street, sports facilities, well-designed public areas and a desirable riverfront that offers leisure pursuits. And all just 30 minutes from Central London.

Big-name local employers such as Sky and Disney - Heathrow and Chiswick Business Park are a short journey away - and exciting startups are also key to the neighbourhood’s success as a 'walkable neighbourhood'. With a high concentration of HQ's stationed in Brentford, local residents have bountiful work opportunities close to home. This strengthens a sense of community, as neighbours, colleagues and friends are able to live, work, and relax within a lively and supportive neighbourhood.

‘Walkability’ is the inspiration behind Ballymore's 11-acre, transformative The Brentford Project that serves as a new waterfront town centre for Brentford and blueprint for the planning, design and delivery of new large-scale developments of the future.

A high-profile development for the Irish developer now 15 years in the making, it's an exciting, mixed-used, riverside development of 876 apartments and 150,965 square feet of retail space in the heart of Brentford.

The developer's long-term vision is to create an inclusive place that showcases and promotes the enjoyment of being on the waterfront, with an appreciation for culture and community.

And it has succeeded in its primary goal in a short amount of time, catalysing the creation of a new, close-knit community of residents - while enriching existing communities - served by exciting retail and food establishments all surrounded by public spaces, parkland and 12 acres of riverfront.

A place to live, work and play in every sense of the meaning, The Brentford Project's successful 'Summer Series' which took place this year attracted thousands of visitors to a summer-long roster of events as diverse as yoga, pizza-making classes, terrarium workshops and craft beer tasting from local breweries, with local musicians providing the soundtrack.

Other future, curated cultural initiatives designed to inspire and unite will feature heavy in its repertoire of events as the progressive developer drives forward its ambitious plans to create a new town within Brentford that is also a bold platform for the arts, live music and gastronomy scene.

The Brentford Project is also adding another dimension to the area’s retail and leisure experience with over 150,000 square feet of new space. Flowing from the busy high street, The Lanes is a network of paved passageways featuring a diverse collection of independent stores.

Alongside locally-grown businesses such as The Duke of London - a multipurpose venue that has evolved from a family-run auto dealership - to the Brewery Tap pub and Santa Maria Pizzeria sit established and emerging brands. From old school vinyl stores to the Rye by the Water bakery, coffee shop and kitchen, the area conjures the spirit of bustling ancient laneways.

The adjacent Waterman Arts Centre hosts a packed calendar of performance from its canalside location, and movie screenings are now regularly hosted from within The Brentford Project at The Duke of London. 

With just £500 reservation fee and a reduced deposit, you can make West London’s most colourful walkable neighbourhood your first home. Prices from £445,000.

Why not find out more about The Brentford Project, download a brochure or speak to one of our friendly agents.