Written by Kianna Best on Mar 25, 2025. Posted in General Interest

Gillette Factory to transform into new London state of the art film studios

​The historic Gillette Factory in Isleworth, West London, is poised for a transformative redevelopment into a cutting-edge film and virtual production facility. After securing approval from Hounslow Council's Planning Committee on 17 March, 2025, the iconic Art Deco building on Syon Lane will undergo significant refurbishment to house state-of-the-art studios specialising in film, digital content creation, and virtual production. ​

Designed by Sir Banister Flight Fletcher and completed in 1937, the Gillette Factory served as the European headquarters for the renowned razor blade manufacturer until 2006. The building's elegant curving frontage and prominent clock tower have long been landmarks along West London's "Golden Mile." Following the cessation of manufacturing, the site remained largely vacant, with previous redevelopment plans, including a luxury hotel, failing to materialize. In 2013, The Vinyl Factory repurposed parts of the complex into makeshift film production facilities, attracting major film projects such as Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2015), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), and Infinite (2020).

The approved redevelopment encompasses the construction of six new large sound stages, alongside production offices, workshops, and a publicly accessible café. While the Grade II listed Gillette Factory building, NatWest Building, and the south wing of the Campbell’s Building will be retained and refurbished, several non-listed structures, including the Old Mould Shop, Caxton Building, and a multi-storey car park, will be demolished to accommodate the new facilities. Extensions will be added to some of the preserved buildings to integrate modern production spaces while maintaining the site's historical character. ​

The Vinyl Factory estimates that the development will create over 3,000 permanent jobs, with plans to ensure that approximately 1,430 of these positions are filled by residents of the London Borough of Hounslow. Additionally, the construction phase is expected to generate around 800 jobs. This significant employment boost aligns with Hounslow Council's 10-year Culture Strategy, aiming to transform the borough into a thriving hub for cultural production. ​

While the redevelopment has been met with enthusiasm, concerns have been raised regarding its potential impact on local infrastructure. Historic England initially expressed reservations about the visibility of one of the proposed sound stages behind the Gillette Factory, potentially diminishing the prominence of the iconic clock tower. However, design improvements have since addressed these concerns, leading to their approval. ​

Sky, which operates nearby film studios, and Transport for London (TfL) have highlighted potential traffic congestion issues, particularly around the heavily trafficked Syon Lane junction. The development is expected to generate an additional 108 bus trips during morning peak times and 164 during evening peaks, potentially leading to overcrowding on local bus routes. In response, TfL has requested GBP1.15 million to enhance bus services and accommodate the increased demand. Plans also include a new six-storey car park with 413 spaces, raising concerns about car dependency and congestion, as this exceeds the London Plan's guidelines for parking provisions.

Councillor Salman Shaheen, Member for Culture, Leisure, and Public Spaces at Hounslow Council, lauded the development, stating that the area will play a "vital part in Hounslow's future as a burgeoning hub for film production and creative enterprises," to Local Democracy Reporting Service. He emphasised that the project aligns with the borough's cultural strategy, positioning Hounslow as not just a consumer of culture but a producer.

The transformation of the Gillette Factory into a modern film studio complex signifies a pivotal moment for West London's creative industry, blending the preservation of historical architecture with the advancement of contemporary digital content creation.

Images courtesy of Gillette Building Studios