Gillette Corner
Encyclopedia
Gillette Corner is a crossroads intersection where the ancient road of Syon Lane (B454) crosses the Great West Road A4, on the border between Osterley
and Brentford
in west London
. It marks the western end of the Great West Road
's "Golden Mile
" of classic 1930s developments in commercial and industrial architecture. The land to the north east of the intersection contains the 'Gillette Building', a grade II listed Art Deco
style office and works development, designed by Sir Banister Fletcher
, incorporating a high brick tower surmounted by a four-faced neon-illuminated clock. As this tall structure sits on high ground it represents a prominent local landmark and can be seen from afar, day and night. From the early 1930s until the early 21st century this building was the European headquarters of the Gillette Company, of Boston
Massachusetts
. The surrounding area includes a Tesco
hypermarket
and Syon Lane railway station
. The nearest tube stations are Boston Manor
and Osterley
, and it is served by the H91 and H28 bus routes.
The Bonnington Group has been granted planning permission by the London Borough of Hounslow
to develop the Gillette building into a hotel and "business park", which will add to the West Cross industrial estate, of which Gillette Corner forms the western end. However, these plans have not yet been approved by the Mayor of London
.
Osterley
Osterley is a district in the London Borough of Hounslow in west London. It is situated approximately west south-west of Charing Cross.Osterley lies north of the A4 and extends further northwards beyond the M4 Motorway...
and Brentford
Brentford
Brentford is a suburban town in west London, England, and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Brent, west-southwest of Charing Cross. Its former ceremonial county was Middlesex.-Toponymy:...
in west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It marks the western end of the Great West Road
Great West Road
The Great West Road may refer to:*A4 road from London to Bath and Bristol, England*The Golden Mile in West London, part of the above*Great West Road, Zambia...
's "Golden Mile
Golden Mile (Brentford)
The Golden Mile is the name given to a stretch of the Great West Road north of Brentford running west from the western boundary of Chiswick in London, United Kingdom.It was so called due to the concentration of industry along this short stretch of road...
" of classic 1930s developments in commercial and industrial architecture. The land to the north east of the intersection contains the 'Gillette Building', a grade II listed Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style office and works development, designed by Sir Banister Fletcher
Banister Fletcher
Sir Banister Flight Fletcher was an English architect and architectural historian, as was his father, also named Banister Fletcher....
, incorporating a high brick tower surmounted by a four-faced neon-illuminated clock. As this tall structure sits on high ground it represents a prominent local landmark and can be seen from afar, day and night. From the early 1930s until the early 21st century this building was the European headquarters of the Gillette Company, of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The surrounding area includes a Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
hypermarket
Hypermarket
In commerce, a hypermarket is a superstore combining a supermarket and a department store. The result is an expansive retail facility carrying a wide range of products under one roof, including full groceries lines and general merchandise...
and Syon Lane railway station
Syon Lane railway station
Syon Lane railway station, on the Hounslow Loop Line, is in the London Borough of Hounslow in west London. It is in Travelcard Zone 4. The station and all trains serving it are operated by South West Trains...
. The nearest tube stations are Boston Manor
Boston Manor tube station
Boston Manor is a London Underground station serving the Boston Manor area between Brentford and Hanwell in west London. The station is on the Heathrow branch of the Underground's Piccadilly Line, between Osterley and Northfields stations...
and Osterley
Osterley tube station
Osterley is a London Underground station in Osterley in west London. The station is on the Heathrow branch of the Piccadilly Line, between Boston Manor and Hounslow East. The station is located on Great West Road close to the National Trust-owned Osterley Park. It is in Travelcard Zone 4...
, and it is served by the H91 and H28 bus routes.
The Bonnington Group has been granted planning permission by the London Borough of Hounslow
London Borough of Hounslow
-Political composition:Since the borough was formed it has been controlled by the Labour Party on all but two occasions. In 1968 the Conservatives formed a majority for the first and last time to date until they lost control to Labour in 1971. Labour subsequently lost control of the council in the...
to develop the Gillette building into a hotel and "business park", which will add to the West Cross industrial estate, of which Gillette Corner forms the western end. However, these plans have not yet been approved by the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
.