Newcombe House in Notting Hill, London

The Newcombe House site, situated in a prime location bordered by Notting Hill Gate, Kensington Church Street, Kensington Place, and the District and Circle Underground lines, is currently undergoing preparations for a comprehensive regeneration plan. This initiative follows its recent acquisition by the partnership of Beltane and Angelo Gordon. Originally built in the 1960s, the site consists of a cluster of buildings that have noticeably declined over time, featuring a central 12-storey tower, Newcombe House, which formerly housed offices now vacated, and several ground floor retail outlets including a Waterstones bookstore. Additionally, Royston Court, located on the corner of Kensington Church Street and Kensington Place, encompasses 20 unoccupied residential units that were previously allocated for transitional housing.

Ownership extends to the top end of Uxbridge Street and includes a substantial surface parking lot that lies adjacent to the underground railway line. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has highlighted the site as an undesirable feature of Notting Hill Gate, critiquing its poor pedestrian infrastructure, lack of accessibility, and unappealing public spaces which have become hotspots for anti-social behavior. Despite these challenges, the site's direct proximity to Notting Hill Gate London Underground Station and several bus routes awards it the highest public transport accessibility rating (PTAL 6b), underscoring its potential as a pivotal element in the revitalization of the area.

Building on existing planning permissions granted in June 2020, after a detailed public inquiry and approval by the Secretary of State, the project envisions a radical transformation. This authorization paves the way for the demolition of the current structures and the development of six new buildings. This includes an 18-storey tower positioned at the intersection of Notting Hill Gate and Kensington Church Street, with the additional buildings varying in height from 3 to 7 storeys. The reimagined space is set to accommodate 55 new residential apartments, diverse office and retail spaces, a new health center, and the creation of a public square accessible directly from Notting Hill Gate. This ambitious redevelopment aims to not only enhance the visual appeal of the area but also to significantly improve its accessibility and usability for both residents and visitors alike.