Bollo Lane Mixed-Use Development

Ealing Council has approved a master plan for redeveloping a half-mile-long, narrow stretch of land along Bollo Lane in Acton, West London. The design reimagines underutilized land along the Piccadilly and District London Underground lines into a sustainable live-work community. On-site work could begin by the end of 2022.

Designed in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL), landscape architect East and engineers Mott MacDonald, the masterplan provides 852 homes across nine buildings. This includes 50 percent affordable housing—an important benchmark for the London development community.

The undulating, accessible series of buildings will range from 4 to 25 stories. At 25 stories, the mixed-use Bollo Brook House tower will be built alongside the Piccadilly line tracks near Chiswick Business Park. The dual aspect design of the tower gives people in every unit views in two directions while drawing in daylight. The development also includes a new train crew accommodation building for Piccadilly line drivers.

HOK’s design draws inspiration from the area’s heritage, including the historic, Grade II-listed Acton Town Underground station. It also reflects the commitment to design excellence of TfL, which is one of the city’s largest landowners and has helped shape modern London. The design team looked to the legacies of Frank Pick, first chief executive of London Transport, and architect Charles Holden, who together in the early-20th century developed an iconic architectural identity for the city’s transport system.

The master plan promotes the efforts of London’s next generation of makers and honors Bollo Lane’s industrial history by allocating 25,000 square feet for maker-spaces across several buildings.

Welcoming green spaces, improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities, a fully active street and new commercial opportunities for local businesses all enhance the community. A series of public spaces and private terrace gardens line a pedestrian-scaled colonnade that connects ground-level offices, maker-spaces, shops and cafés.

A dedicated service road runs along the tracks, supporting a ‘healthy streets’ approach and ensuring that Bollo Lane will be free of lay-bys and provide a safe pedestrian experience.