Reimaging a vacant space beneath the Westway
Development Zone 1 is a largely vacant area under the Westway (A40) which connects the northern and southern parts of White City Campus. Some of the space is used for cycle parking and some car parking, but most of it is currently unused. Our ambition is to transform this into a vibrant space which offers new amenities, social areas and green spaces.
In 2024, Imperial received planning approval from Hammersmith & Fulham Council for plans to create two buildings and new public spaces underneath the Westway, which would deliver a welcoming meeting point at the centre of campus for the Imperial and wider community.
We will not be progressing with the development of these buildings imminently but will be looking to enliven to this key location with temporary events and activities.
Meanwhile uses
Imperial is exploring a range of temporary ideas to activate this vacant space and bring new amenities and activities to White City Campus.
Responding to this unique location – which offers a large, sheltered space – our aim is to bring in pop-up events and operators who offer something sustainable and enriching for our audience of Imperial staff, students and businesses, and local people.
By bringing in ‘meanwhile uses’, we will be able to test different approaches and get feedback from campus users and local community that will inform future strategies across the campus.
Development Zone 1 by Turner Works
The plans for the redevelopment of Development Zone 1 were designed by award-winning architects Turner Works. It envisaged the space under the Westway being transformed into an engaging social space for campus users and the local community.
The approved plans would deliver:
- An attractive new destination at the heart of White City Campus that would provide a variety of social spaces
- Two new buildings providing new amenities including a new café or restaurant/bar, operated by a commercial F&B operator, which would be open to all
- Dynamic public realm with extensive outdoor spaces, creating places for campus users and the local community to relax, meet and spend time
- Spaces for enlivenment and events both for Imperial staff and students, and community activities
- Enhancements for pedestrians, creating new routes for people to get around campus and the local area
- New planting which creates a vibrant green destination and improves biodiversity, in line with Imperial’s Net Zero Carbon 2040 Agenda.
Find out more about the design of Development Zone 1.
If you have any questions about Development Zone 1 or Imperial’s plans for this space, including meanwhile and temporary uses, please contact: whitecity.development@imperial.ac.uk