The building has already been used for several filming projects but the planned development aims to realise the potential of the whole site

The iconic former Gillette factory in Isleworth, west London, is set to become a film studio, after planning was granted by Hounslow Council’s planning committee this week.

Under the planned development, the landmark, Grade-II listed Art Deco building on Syon Lane will become a production and technology hub, with six sound stages and virtual production capacity with the emphasis on digital content creation. The auxiliary services will include workshops, offices, parking for around 400 cars and a café open to the public.

The site is within the Great West Road Industrial Business Park, close to the Sky campus in Brentford, and includes other ancillary, heritage buildings (some also listed) a car park etc, in a space totalling around 4.4.hectares.

Although the site has already been used for some film production, the new plans aim to realise the full potential of the whole site with heritage-led redevelopment and refurbishment alongside some demolition. Global architecture and design firm Gensler will oversee the campus development.

The Vinyl Factory, founded in 2001, has run ‘Gillette Studios’ since 2013 with 10 major productions, including Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2015), Allied (2016), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Infinite (2020) and All the Old Knives (2021). The company repurposes historic and listed buildings through investment in creative industry-led businesses with its principal operation at 180 Studios in the Strand, central London.

For more on UK studios around the nations and regions, take a look at our latest edition of World of Studios here. To book your spot in the next issue, email sarah.keegan@mbi.london or alex.curry@theknowledgeonline.com.