A residential-led, mixed-use riverside destination

Kew Bridge transformed a prominent brownfield site on the River Thames into a vibrant and active series of new places. The riverside destination creates 308 new homes and a range of commercial uses including offices, shops, restaurants, riverside pub and boating club.

The site is located in close proximity to Kew Bridge Station and is bounded by Kew Bridge Road, the Grade II-listed Kew Bridge and the River Thames. It falls within and adjacent to local Conservation Areas and the World Heritage Buffer Zone of Kew Gardens. The building form and massing were shaped significantly by the requirement to retain views of the Campanile of the Kew Steam Museum.

The masterplan is developed as a series of character areas creating a collage of different but complementary buildings across the site. The wharf and warehouse buildings are designed in an industrial aesthetic with contemporary insertions, a design approach which reflects the history of the site. This is expressed through stock brick, traditional rhythms and proportions, twin-gabled forms, loading bay balconies and a contemporary curved glazed prow that opens up views of the river. The ellipse buildings are more modern in their approach with crisp white render accentuating the curve of the buildings, that reflect and address the street.

Public realm improvements have been achieved through the enhancement of the riverside walk, new public piazzas and generous street frontages. A new focal Riverside Square is provided adjacent to the Grade II-listed Kew Bridge with two further public piazzas containing reflecting pools.

Buildings around these spaces contain a range of mixed uses to provide activity throughout the day. In addition to the public spaces, three riverside courtyards provide semi-private communal gardens for the use of residents. The inclusion of the Boat Club within the Kew Bridge Arches and a new pontoon further encourages community activity along the river.

The new junction along Kew Bridge Road rationalises vehicular access and provides a more pedestrian-friendly street environment.

Community engagement was at the heart of Kew Bridge. Over 20 meetings, exhibitions and public events were held to ensure the engagement process was wide-ranging and accessible. The process involved a range of stakeholders including the local community, London Borough of Hounslow, local resident groups, Kew Steam Museum and the project team.

This engagement process enabled the design team to constructively address issues such as the number of homes provided, building heights, elevations, available green space and play facilities, enabling both community approval and achievement of planning.

Over 400 people participated in workshops and attended public exhibitions of the proposals with a predominantly positive response documented in feedback comments. Over 200 letters were also received in support of the scheme during the planning application process.