Ballymore’s The Brentford Project, a riverside development in West London, continues to make waves in urban regeneration by reconnecting the town’s high street to the water. Located along the River Brent and spanning nearly five hectares, the mixed-use facility includes residential, retail and recreational spaces.
At the core of the transformation is the revitalisation of Workhouse Dock and Town Wharf, which are two distinct basins designed with the support of marine consultancy firm Marina Projects.
Initially commissioned in 2021, Marina Projects was tasked with the concept and technical design of Workhouse Dock to support both moorings for narrowboats and recreational uses, including paddleboarding, kayaking and floating public events. The company’s scope also included tidal assessments and construction oversight.
Following the success of the first phase, Ballymore extended Marina Projects’ consultancy to the second phase of the project, which is Town Wharf. Town Wharf is envisioned as a family-focused space aimed at residential narrowboat living.
The area presented technical challenges due to often drying out at low tide. Marina Projects responded by designing a fixed cill structure to retain water within the basin, ensuring consistent appeal and availability for long-term moorings.
Workhouse Dock officially opened in June 2024, marked by the Brentford Canal Festival and Ballymore’s own Festival on the Water. The celebration highlighted the site’s transformation into a dynamic community space, complete with a floating stage and public participation both on and around the water.
Richard Pearce, Senior Development Manager at Ballymore, said, “Working with Marina Projects has been instrumental to our strategy for the waterways within The Brentford Project. Despite its advantageous location at the apex of the River Thames and River Brent, Brentford has historically failed to realise its waterside potential due to a disconnect between the high street and the waterfront. The Brentford Project, with the support of Marina Projects’ work, addresses this by increasing access to the water and creating new community hubs along the water’s edge."
Phil Dunn, Technical Director, stated, “The Brentford Project has presented a unique set of design challenges which we have successfully overcome, and the Marina Projects team continues to enjoy working with Ballymore to realise their vision for the project. The inland waterways nature of the project has benefitted from Marina Projects’ breadth of skills and experience across the marine leisure sector, and the project as a whole demonstrates the potential that can be released from redundant water spaces.”
The collaborative effort between Ballymore and Marina Projects reflects a recognition of how urban waterfronts can be thoughtfully connected into city life, providing public benefit while preserving heritage and enhancing ecological access.
