Who are we?
We are Hadley. We’re a forward-thinking mixed-use development company, dedicated to building sustainable communities all over London.
We’re also now the proud owners of GSK’s historical West London headquarters at 980 Great West Road, and are at the start of a journey to create a new neighbourhood on this site. Somewhere people can call home; somewhere we’d like you to visit. A place that adds something new to Brentford, to Hounslow and to West London.
HOW WE WORK
Hadley’s Approach to Sustainability
SOCIAL
Social value is created by ensuring that everyone in the community is given the opportunity to thrive. This means providing fair access to jobs, education, and affordable housing, while also fostering a sense of belonging and quality of life for all.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Preserving natural ecosystems, reducing environmental impact, and responsibly managing resources to safeguard the planet for future generations.
ECONOMIC
Economic sustainability fuels growth by efficiently using resources, balancing profitability with social progress, and valuing environmental protection.
As one of the highest-scoring B Corporations in the real estate industry, we are proud of our commitment to both environmental and social responsibility.
Our approach goes beyond construction — we collaborate closely with residents, like-minded businesses, local government, and charitable organisations to create and curate vibrant new neighbourhoods in and around the capital.
Our focus goes beyond sustainability; we emphasise social responsibility by actively engaging with local residents and prioritising affordable housing, ecological balance, and community wellbeing.
Our developments feature vibrant and welcoming public spaces that encourage community interaction and support biodiversity through landscaped areas that promote native wildlife.
Elsewhere in London
BLACKWALL YARD E14
Amongst our current portfolio is a mixed-use waterside neighbourhood located on the north bank of the Thames. Blackwall Yard will deliver over 900 homes, four storeys of community space, a brand-new Thames Clipper Uber Boats stop, and a natural swimming facility, all facing out across the river towards Greenwich and the O2.
What is 980 GWR?
GSK House has been home to GlaxoSmithKline for over 20 years — 980 Great West Road marks the next chapter in the story of a site that you, as a Brentford resident, may have passed by daily. It’s the next phase in the life of a building that has illuminated the Great West Road as you’ve driven along the M4 on the way in and out of London. On the following pages, you can read more about our early ambitions and find out how you can get involved as the project evolves.
The Great West Road at 100: Past, Present & Future
With the centenary of the Great West Road approaching in May 2025, now seems like the perfect time to take a quick look at how one of London’s main arterial routes came to be — and how it has evolved into what we see today.
01. View of the Great West Road, Peter Young, 1973
02. View overlooking the M4 Brentford, Peter Young, 1973
“The Great West Road looked very odd. We might have suddenly rolled into California... ...these decorative little buildings, all glass and concrete and chromium plate seem to be merely playing at being factories...At night they look as exciting as Blackpool.”
100 Years in the Making
TIMELINE
1926 - 1937: The Great West Road becomes a hub for new developments. Currys (now JCDecaux) sets up its headquarters, and in 1936, the Gillette factory is built, a site currently being redeveloped into film and TV studios by The Vinyl Factory. 1925 1946
1925: King George V cuts the ribbon to officially open the Great West Road, linking Hounslow West to Chiswick Roundabout.
1946: The opening of London Heathrow Airport transforms the Great West Road into a key gateway route for local and international traffic.
1962-1965: The M4 ‘South Wales Motorway’ is built through Brentford, with the section from Brentford to Maidenhead opening on 24th March 1965, improving regional connectivity.
2002: GSK completes its new headquarters on the Great West Road, replacing the former Macleans and Trico-Folberth factories, marking a major investment in the area.
2018: The Mayor of London designates the Great West Road, from Chiswick Roundabout to Gillette Corner, as a Creative Enterprise Zone to boost local employment. 1965
The Great West Road, one of London’s key arterial routes, was first established in 1925 to connect the city to the west. It quickly became a magnet for businesses, offering affordable land and excellent transport links. Companies like Gillette and Firestone were among the first to set up along this stretch, building iconic Art Deco factories that became symbols of progress and innovation.
During the 1930s, the area earned the nickname “The Golden Mile” due to the wealth and economic growth it generated. This stretch of the Great West Road, running north of Brentford, became synonymous with sleek modernist architecture and booming industry.
2000: JCDecaux restores the 1936 Art Deco Currys building, led by renowned architects Norman Foster and Partners, for their UK headquarters, blending historic preservation with modern functionality.
-J.B. Priestley; English Journey (1934)
2025: The centenary of the Great West Road’s opening will be celebrated by Hounslow and Brentford communities, marking 100 years of its contribution to West London.
2025
2024: Pharmaceutical giant GSK relocates its global headquarters, concluding over two decades on the Great West Road.
But the story of the Golden Mile is about more than just industry—it’s about change and adaptability. Even as traditional industries began to decline after World War II, the area’s prime location and distinctive architecture, such as the Gillette Factory, helped maintain its relevance.
Today, the Golden Mile remains a vital part of West London, hosting a diverse mix of creative, tech, and logistics companies. Its historic buildings stand as reminders of its industrial past, while ongoing regeneration efforts ensure it continues to play a key role in the area’s economic future.
Firestone Factory
What makes Brentford tick?
By those who call it home...
There's great parks here - you're near the river and people are generally really lovely
- Community Member
I have lived in Brentford all my life and seen the area change so much... Mostly for the good.
03. The Grand Union Canal, Brentford Lock, Osmund Caine (1914–2004) Government Art Collection, The Globe, Brentford
04. The Fabric of Hounslow, The Potting Shed at Boston Manor Park
It's a really strong community in Brentford, with very friendly people and people who care about this area. We need spaces where the community feels comfortable and comes together.
Brentford is fast becoming one of London’s most exciting suburbs, where history, innovation, and community converge. Once a key crossing point in Roman times and an industrial powerhouse, today it’s a lively neighbourhood that’s evolving whilst staying true to its roots.
Local pride shines through in Brentford — from the excitement of match days at the Gtech Community Stadium to peaceful riverside walks along the Grand Union Canal and the River Brent.
Brentford Lock, with its scenic views and tranquil setting, has become a popular space with an identity of its own, offering a perfect mix of canal-side cafés and contemporary living. Brentford Lock is both a reminder of London’s industrial
past and an example of what a thriving residential and recreational hub looks and feels like today.
Brentford has always been a place of significance — Its ongoing regeneration has breathed new life into the area, bringing in modern developments whilst maintaining the neighbourhood’s character. But what really makes Brentford stand out is the strong sense of community that binds the area together.
It’s a place where residents are as invested in their local parks and cultural spots as they are in the fast-growing media, tech and creative scenes. Brentford isn’t just growing — it’s flourishing, fuelled by the energy of a community that’s proud to call it home.
The last two months have seen an extensive programme of codesign workshops in Brentford, with hundreds of local residents helping to shape what will come next on the site. Curious about these collaborative sessions? Scan the QR code below to find out more.
A Living, Breathing, Walkable Neighbourhood
There's a lot of families in Brentford, especially young families, so it would be really nice to have more places for us to go with our kids, somewhere affordable.
Having one of the most global cities on Earth on your doorstep is one thing — but daily life still needs to be easy. Your neighbourhood needs to work for you —whether you’re a longstanding resident or someone who’s new to calling Brentford home.
A NEW DISTRICT
We’re dedicated to creating a vibrant new neighbourhood along the Great West Road — a place that connects with longstanding communities and complements the already buzzing high street. A place that gives you a reason to come and makes you want to stay. That’s why our plans for 980 GWR aim to offer something for everyone: whether that’s building on the natural borders of the site by using the waterways and green spaces for outdoor activities, play, and exercise, or ensuring that the food, drink, and meeting places welcome as wide a range of people as possible.
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
A connected community is built on foundations of strong relationships, shared values, and active engagement among its members. The conversations we’ve had so far, whether they have been structured or informal are telling us just how excited people are about the opportunities that 980 GWR can offer. Community spaces and cultural hubs. Restaurants, bars and convenience stores? Outdoor gyms or performance spaces? Please keep talking to us. We want to create a space that’s walkable and welcoming.
EMBRACING HEALTH, WELLBEING, AND NATURE
The expansive size of the site, coupled with its prime location next to Boston Manor Park and the river Brent, offers huge potential to create a space that promotes healthy living and connects people with nature.
This connection is something that we’ve been exploring and promoting across a number of our sites. At our IQL North development site in Stratford, we’ve spent three years supporting The LightHouse and Gardens — a
community — run wellbeing space with outdoor growing spaces for residents to use. The space has given almost 1500 free hours to local groups, and welcomed more than 14,000 visitors to the gardens. We’d love you to visit, but admittedly it’s a long way from Brentford…
RETAILAND MARKET LIBRARYOFTHINGS
LIGHTINDUSTRIALAND MAKERSPACES
EDUCATION HEALTHCENTRE
Health isn’t just about GP surgeries... somewhere that helps me and my family to enjoy the outdoors is just what we need here.
I
live on the other side of the A4 and there is just nothing around. Feels a bit cut off from everything. I would like to see this site change that. Make spaces that we would want to come to and make it easy to access.
Beyond Boundaries
CREATING A CONNECTED SPACE
NATURAL CONNECTIONS: BLUE AND GREEN
Where City Meets Nature
980 GWR has two fantastic natural borders to the west and north, with the river Brent and Boston Manor Park offering a great opportunity to bring the natural world and urban life closer together. We’re planning to widen and revitalise the green spaces along the river, turning them into lively habitats where biodiversity can thrive. Think of it as creating a richer, greener thread that runs through the neighbourhood — good for both wildlife and the people who enjoy the outdoors.
GONE ARE THE FENCES
A Space That Welcomes Everyone
Forget the fences and barriers. This space will be open and inclusive, a destination for the whole community. At its centre, a sustainable transport hub will offer a range of eco-friendly travel options — from electric bikes to cargo bikes to electric cars — all easily booked through one simple app.
There’s even the possibility of turning the site into a new stop for river transport, linking it with Brentford Lock and opening up fresh opportunities to explore the waterway. Alongside this, improved footpaths will make the riverside more walkable and cycle-friendly, creating easy, scenic routes for locals and visitors alike.
For 20 years 980 GWR has been an amazing home for GSK employees, but it’s meant little to the community which surrounds it.
The ‘High Street’, a strip of shops and amenities which ran half the length of the site was a valuable resource for staff, but only accessible if you were on the right side of the fence.
CONNECTING THE PIECES
The site has the opportunity to knit together the outer edges of Brentford to create a new place that celebrates the existing area.
We’re opening up access to this previously isolated site, expanding what’s on site to better serve the local community, and creating new job opportunities for Hounslow residents.
Together, we’re hoping that these efforts a will go a little way to help break down social, economic, and physical barriers — ensuring the space works for everyone.
Reuse, Renew, & Rebuild
Buildings shouldn't have a shelf-life.
Materials
don't have a single use. By applying the principles of the circular economy we can minimise our impact on the environment and leave something useful behind...
Retaining the site-wide basement and the tower’s superstructure could save more than 50% of the site’s embodied carbon.
REGENERATIVE, NOT JUST SUSTAINABLE
At the heart of our proposals is a firm commitment to doing things the right way. That means designing a place that not only respects the constraints of a site like this but turns those challenges into real opportunities. How do you create a neighbourhood that doesn’t just meet sustainability targets but exceeds them?
Should any of the existing buildings become part of the future plans? Where will the waste materials go? How much gets discarded, and how much can be reused? How far from the site does it need to travel to find a new purpose?
Hadley is on track to achieve operational net zero by 2030, and is commited to source 100% of its energy from renewable sources.
Did
Buildings are responsible for 39% of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
And how will this site — and these principles — support Brentford’s communities in the short, medium, and long term?
As well as a commitment at 980 GWR to reuse as much of the existing building as is possible, and to recycle the majority of the materials removed from the site,
we are also committed to reducing carbon emissions generated by operational energy use. We are designing to be operationally NetZero Carbon across all our projects by 2030 as well as targeting the supply of energy from 100% renewable sources.
Net zero carbon aims to slash emissions and balance the remainder through carbon removal, driving us toward a climate-neutral future.
HEALINGTHEPLANET
PROMOTINGCOMMUNITIES
Futureproofed
Future-proofing the development ensures long-term resilience by incorporating sustainable design, adaptable infrastructure, and innovative technologies that meet the evolving needs of the community.
Supporting one another, fairness, respecting differences, and working together to improve everyone's wellbeing in a strong, connected community.
Valued by the community
Driven by Community
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
— Jane Jacobs
I think it’s really exciting that there are opportunities for the community on this site. This is quite a sleepy area — beautiful, green and all of that, but not much of a buzz for nightlife or activities. It would be great to see that brought to the area.
LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY
To truly future-proof the development, we must look decades ahead — planning for thenext 10, 20, and even 50 years. Our vision isn’t just about building for today but designing with resilience for tomorrow. Hadley’s vision extends far beyond initial development. We are committed to the holistic and integrated management of the development, ensuring it prospers
for generations to come. Our “ground-up” approach involves deep engagement with the London Borough of Hounslow (LBH), local residents, and interest groups, going far beyond standard planning consultations. This allows us to gain a true understanding of what the community needs and what is currently lacking.
EMPOWERING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
For the past three years, we’ve been working at IQL North in Stratford, where our development includes a Neighbourhood Charter. This Charter ensures that commercial operators follow clear guidelines, such as committing to paying the London Living Wage and sharing resources to promote collaboration and create social value within the community.
The process began long before planning submission, when codesign workshops about community management led to the formation of a steering group for the development. Now an important aspect of both the placemaking and estate management strategies, IQL North was commended by residents as being ‘by the people, for the people’
This approach creates a culturally vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood where every voice counts, and the community takes the lead in shaping its future.
COMMUNITY USE AND WORKSPACE
Telluswhatyouwouldlike
Come and visit us here to find out more
CASE STUDY
Designing for
a
Resilient Future
Through collaborative workshops, we’ve explored how different living, commercial, and community partners can make this new neighbourhood greater than the sum of its parts.
At IQL North, a transformative mixed-use development on the eastern edge of Stratford’s Olympic Park, we pioneered the Neighbourhood Charter, which empowers community members to co-curate their future.
Here, we aim to build on that success by using a creative, community-driven approach that reflects local needs and aspirations, identified through extensive analysis and input from the surrounding community. at IQL North, Stratford
