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The Ginormous New Shopping Centre at Shepherds Bush

If the Morrisons goes it'll definitely close down; there's really not much other reason to visit. I'm always amazed at how few actual shops it has for a shopping centre. It'll probably still struggle on while that's there though.

that's true, its always survived based on the supermarket inside, everything else has always just seemed a bit of an add on
 
The chosen location for this monstruosity does strike me as a bit bizarre. Such malls have never been my thing but I get the impression the core of their customers is made up of day trippers arriving by car (such as Bluewater in Essex). I can't see many people willing to drive there. It's a constant nightmare from whichever direction you're approaching.
Much as I hate Bluewater, almost everyone I know in the surrounding area uses it very regularly, despite frequent traffic nightmares. Build it and they will come.
 
Bluewater's in Kent, not in Essex. It's Lakeside that's in Essex.

Didn't they demolish the remains of the old Wood Lane station to build this shopping centre?
 
My brother-in-law has been working on that site with the construction etc... it looks alright on the inside from what he's said.

I know I'm going to head there at some point and check it out. Bluewater & Lakeside are almost impossible for me to get to (I don't drive) - but for the 2 times I've been to each place they've made my head hurt... too many shoppers & too much going on.
 
Didn't they demolish the remains of the old Wood Lane station to build this shopping centre?

Yes, although some of the former depot buildings have been retained & renovated.

A new Wood lane Station was supposed to be part of the scheme. Anyone know if it happened?
 
I'm interested to see how it looks inside as well, and generally how it measures up architecturally.

Like it or not, shopping centres are one of the main types of really large-scale "public" buildings being built at the moment. You could argue that they are our equivalent of what the grand railway stations were to the Victorians. Or could be. It's a shame they are generally so bland and indistinguishable from one another.

It's not as if there aren't precedents for enclosed shopping arcades to be exciting spaces...

2740952844_1c74b833c8.jpg


And we end up with stuff like this:

braehead-shopping-centre.jpg
 
My most recent ex - who was a fan of shopping centres and visited them for the sheer fun of it - would have fucking loved this. :rolleyes:
 
There is an architecture page on Westfield's website:

http://uk.westfield.com/london/centre-information/architecture

Apparently,


Westfield London adds a spectacular new landmark to the capital's skyline. Designed to convey the intriguing interplay between water and light, the most striking feature is the undulating glass roof, which is made up of thousands of solid and clear panels. These have been carefully positioned to maximise natural light as the sun moves throughout the day, creating a spacious, airy environment wherever you happen to be.
 
To fit in with the charming surroundings of White City?
:confused:

Distinctly underwhelmed by the prospect tbh. Biggest urban shopping destination in Europe? Who gives a sodding fig eh.

I think you'll find that thousands of BBC employees are rather excited at the prospect of something to do in their lunchbreaks. :D
 
I'm gonna head along on Saturday. I have to check on some shit for work, but have a kind of morbid curiousity as to the spectacle.

Probably lots of free shit being given out. Well, not probably, hopefully.

The food options look good, if nothing else.
 
I'm gonna head along on Saturday. I have to check on some shit for work, but have a kind of morbid curiousity as to the spectacle.

Probably lots of free shit being given out. Well, not probably, hopefully.

The food options look good, if nothing else.

I can't imagine how busy it'll be this weekend... battle of the crowds!
Let us know what freebies you get if any... might be goodie-bag central :)
 
I think you'll find that thousands of BBC employees are rather excited at the prospect of something to do in their lunchbreaks. :D

Having to do the central line past it every day, I was happy to have a morrisons at Shepherds bush where you could nip off the tube for 4 pints of milk on the way home.
I dread to think what I'll end up with on the way home now... :D
 
I'll probably pop along for a look, during the week (fuck going there on a weekend) but I get the fear from this sort of place.
 
I know it's owned by an American company and the name and brand are a franchise but does anyone else agree that the logo looks like a dodgy 70s Vegas casino?

Westfield.gif
 
WRysmile is getting quite excited about this. She feels at home in malls, they're a natural environment for her...

:D

It's going to be gridlock - there's only 4500 parking spaces apparently. There are 8000 at Brent Cross. I think they're being slightly unrealistic if they think most people will travel by public transport ...
 
I'm interested to see how it looks inside as well, and generally how it measures up architecturally.

Like it or not, shopping centres are one of the main types of really large-scale "public" buildings being built at the moment. You could argue that they are our equivalent of what the grand railway stations were to the Victorians. Or could be. It's a shame they are generally so bland and indistinguishable from one another.

It's not as if there aren't precedents for enclosed shopping arcades to be exciting spaces...

2740952844_1c74b833c8.jpg


And we end up with stuff like this:

braehead-shopping-centre.jpg

At least the architecture at Westfield London aspires to something a bit better than the second picture (Braehead Centre at Renfrew in Scotland - which is a car based out of town location just off the M8 next to an IKEA.)

And, unlike the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle, there won't be a McDonalds!
 
Was in Manchester last week, and was taken to the Trafford Centre. I've live in smaller towns.

trafford-centre29.jpg


^^old photo, it's now much bigger :eek: since they tagged a 'homewares' extension on.

Places like this make me weep.
 
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