Weston Homes to convert historic Bucks film site into a stylish residential scheme

Multi-award-winning developer Weston Homes has acquired the famous Denham Film Laboratories in Buckinghamshire and plans to convert the site into a brand new residential address, with a mix of converted period properties and new build homes.

The site of nearly 12 acres includes the 1936-built Grade II listed Art Deco laboratory and head office building and will eventually comprise 224 homes, with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and four- and five-bedroom houses. There will be a mix of private sale and affordable homes of various tenures.

The site is scheduled to launch in Spring 2017, marked by the opening of a marketing suite, show apartment and the restored cinema. Prices for the homes are expected to range from around £350,000 to £1.5m.

Part of the Denham Film Studios, the Buckinghamshire site has significant connections to some of the biggest names in international cinema, including Alexander Korda, Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg and Cubby Broccoli. Among the films produced and edited on the site are the original Star Wars trilogy, numerous James Bond films, Alien, The Great Escape and Full Metal Jacket.

The £120m project will include a retained and restored cinema with bar, for the use of residents, and a community hall/fitness space. The main Grade II listed building will be converted into 49 apartments, with new low-rise blocks of apartments and avenues of three- and four-storey houses and streets of two- and three-storey homes. Plans currently propose that the new streets are named after some of the famous figures associated with the film studio heritage.

The site will be landscaped to include new green squares and spaces, with many homes also having their own private gardens to complement communal areas, public artwork and protected woodland.

Bob Weston, chairman and chief executive officer of Weston Homes, says: “For almost 80 years the Denham Film Studios played a central role in the history of Hollywood and British movie making. With its iconic Art Deco centerpiece, the retained and restored cinema once used by Hollywood directors and its illustrious history this is without doubt the most exciting, glamorous and unique restoration projects Weston Homes has undertaken to date. Our vision at the Denham Film Studios is to create an Art Deco and movie inspired residential address within easy commuting distance of London via rail or road.”

Find out more about the new homes for sale from Weston Homes.