Forum Topic

Independiente Building

Does anyone know what's happening with the Independiente Building on Healthfield terrace? it's been empty for a while now.Thanks

Paul Lovelace ● 2121d13 Comments

three years later--- anyone have any idea whats happening to this building next to the Post Office?

Tim Garfoot ● 1159d

In decades gone by I think that we referred to the building as a storage depot for the Army and Navy Store,which was located in town on Victoria Street, SW1.

Jim Lawes ● 1159d

Someone told me a couple of years ago that there was a plan to convert it into residential and incorporate it into the Devonhurst Place development but nothing came of the scheme due to Covid.

Felicity Caborn ● 1159d

What had been the Army & Navy Stores in Victoria Street SW1 was being demolished when I went past a few weeks ago.

Richard Greenhough ● 1159d

I asked the person who told me about the plans to incorporate it into Devonhurst Place. He said the latest he had heard was that it was possibly going to be incorporated into a large scale development centred on the Post Office but the scheme had run into issues with higher interest rates and construction cost so nothing was likely to happen in the immediate future.

Felicity Caborn ● 1158d

Thanks- its such a good looking building in a great location

Tim Garfoot ● 1157d

Construction on it is taking place at the moment.It used to be the home of Chiswick Auctions. Great building inside

david ward ● 1155d

https://www.azurbanstudio.co.uk/projects/the-drill-hall/

Jack Daniels ● 1155d

Any idea how old this plan is? I've search for the planning application they say they have obtained and can't find anything.

Andrew OSullivan ● 1151d

I wonder if the one story section at the front was always part of the building?  It was when it was "The Army & Navy Store Depository" but prior to that?  The style looks different, but it does look old.

Kieran Fox ● 1151d

In her local history book CHISWICK PAST, Gillian Clegg RIP mentions the large building several times.Firstly it was was built by the Army and Navy Stores in 1871. It was built on the site of a large barracks.... the HQ of the 3rd Royal Westminster Regiment.The single storey at the front was added in 1891... was known as a drill hall " but there is no evidence it was used as such". But it was used as a auction room.

Jim Lawes ● 1151d

In 1976, when I moved to Chiswick, it was occupied by a removal firm, The Pantechnicon.

Robert Fish ● 1151d

I haven't heard of plans to incorporate into Devonhurst Place.  When the last leaseholders moved out, the owners stripped the whole of the internal structures with a view to development into residential - it was in fact two storeys internally through those structures.  However I seem to recall they wished to dig into the basement foundations for another floor and there were concerns it could undermine Devonhurst Place plus they wanted to raise the atrium rooflights/roof which would have impeeded the view from at least one of the two flats it is in front of in Devonhurst Place over the green - their windows at the front would have had no view of the green.  Its already partially obscured by the roofline but you can see the trees and the green when standing - that would have been reduced to virtually nothing except the view of the new walls and roof.I remember the objections being discussed during early covid.  I don't recall seeing any other planning since.  If they are not financially viable as offices any longer it would be lovely if it became maybe a couple of maisonettes without digging down and without raising the roof - they would be spacious and would also have off road parking which would be appealing for new owners.I also don't understand why they aren't viable as offices, especially having off road parking.  The internal structures before the latest colosure was fab - lots of light, attractive layout, space and decor.  There's no access to the inside of Devonhurst Place complex - I think it would be easier to incorporate it into the other building attached to Devonhurst Place that has a front entrance onto Heathfield Terrace (I think they are currently a physio?). At its basics, the Independiente building does not come under the freehold of any of the Devonhurst Place buildings (that's the physio building, the porters lodge, the office with the accountancy firm, the newly converted into residential flats in the more modern building and the converted warehouse).  It seems strange Independiente wasn't part of the group of buildings but if it was to be incorporated I guess it would have to be purchased by 9 Devonhurst Place or Chiswick Green which owns the freehold on everything other than the new conversion and the warehouse.

Louise Cole ● 1146d