‘Mini Manhattan’
SIX TOWER BLOCKS AT THE HEART OF PLAN FOR NEW TOWN CENTRE
A MASSIVE new town centre could soon be built in west London after plans for a group of tower blocks were unveiled.
The plans for One Portal Way, in Ealing, would see six new tower blocks built in the middle of Acton.
The tallest of the towers would be 55 storeys tall, next to two 50-storey blocks, meaning the new scheme would dominate the low west London skyline.
Another building in the plan would be 18 storeys, two would be 16 storeys and the smallest block six storeys high.
Two other planned towers right next to the site, which are 55 and 45 storeys high, have already been given planning permission by Ealing Council.
The new blocks would create a cluster of tall buildings if they get the go-ahead.
Designed by architect Pilbrow and Partners for Imperial College London, the plans would see 1,709 new flats tower over Acton.
Just under 140 of these will be affordable homes, with the rest private flats, built-to-rent homes and discount flats.
The new 55-storey tower would house 461 homes alone.
One of the 16-storey blocks at One Portal Way could either become a hotel or office building with 35,000 square metres of space.
Earlier this year, residents in the area condemned the plans as turning the borough into a ‘mini
Manhattan.’ The towers will also offer shops and cafés at their base, with a large public square and park between the buildings.
The town centre is also walking distance from Acton’s Crossrail station, which will open along with the Elizabeth Line early next year.
The decision to give the town centre the green light will be made by the Old Oak Development Corporation, rather than the local Ealing Council.
Developers Frame said that the scheme would be a great boost for Ealing residents.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The site is strategically located between North Acton station and the Acton Elizabeth line station, and within walking distance from the future HS2 hub in Old Oak, making it one of the bestconnected areas in the UK.
“The proposed scheme maximises the site’s potential to knit together other developments, forming a new vibrant place with a 1.8-acre central public garden.”
The One Portal Way plans are now open for consultation with residents.