We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how the area round it is being transformed already.

For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West Point, which sounds like it should be next door
to the US military academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides easy connections to the Liz in
both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823

It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building, and is
the tallest residential building outside Canary Wharf. In total, there are 362 apartments just in this one development,
but there are many more new towers around it.

In message <8c302j1pvcq7gnhtjvuefomt6ujg0hl16q@4ax.com>, at 19:08:09 on
Wed, 17 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a
>destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
>between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how
>the area round it is being transformed already.
>
>For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West
>Point, which sounds like it should be next door to the US military
>academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides
>easy connections to the Liz in both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes
>walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:
>
>https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823
>
>It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than
>the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building,

That's student accommodation I think. I drive past from time to time.

>and is the tallest residential building outside Canary Wharf. In total,
>there are 362 apartments just in this one development, but there are
>many more new towers around it.

And yet you have always been in denial that Toton could become such a
destination.
--
Roland Perry

On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:19:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

>In message <8c302j1pvcq7gnhtjvuefomt6ujg0hl16q@4ax.com>, at 19:08:09 on
>Wed, 17 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a
>>destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
>>between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how
>>the area round it is being transformed already.
>>
>>For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West
>>Point, which sounds like it should be next door to the US military
>>academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides
>>easy connections to the Liz in both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes
>>walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:
>>
>>https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823
>>
>>It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than
>>the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building,
>
>That's student accommodation I think. I drive past from time to time.

Not those four smart buildings (£500k for a one bed flat), but I think the Imperial College Woodward Building across the
road is a hall of residence. But there's so many new IC buildings in that area that it's hard to keep track of their
functions.

Another large (16 storeys, over 600 units) new student accommodation block nearby is inside the Hanger Lane Gyratory. I
hope the windows are soundproof!

https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/construction-controversial-flats-over-600-24330108

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:19:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>
>> In message <8c302j1pvcq7gnhtjvuefomt6ujg0hl16q@4ax.com>, at 19:08:09 on
>> Wed, 17 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a
>>> destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
>>> between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how
>>> the area round it is being transformed already.
>>>
>>> For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West
>>> Point, which sounds like it should be next door to the US military
>>> academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides
>>> easy connections to the Liz in both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes
>>> walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:
>>>
>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823
>>>
>>> It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than
>>> the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building,
>>
>> That's student accommodation I think. I drive past from time to time.
>
> Not those four smart buildings (£500k for a one bed flat), but I think
> the Imperial College Woodward Building across the
> road is a hall of residence. But there's so many new IC buildings in that
> area that it's hard to keep track of their
> functions.
>
> Another large (16 storeys, over 600 units) new student accommodation
> block nearby is inside the Hanger Lane Gyratory. I
> hope the windows are soundproof!
>
> https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/construction-controversial-flats-over-600-24330108
>

Bugger me, I can remember my Parents and Grandparents lamenting the
imminent demolition of the Chiswick Empire and a “Skyscraper” being built .
Empire House was a mere 8 stories.

GH

Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:19:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> In message <8c302j1pvcq7gnhtjvuefomt6ujg0hl16q@4ax.com>, at 19:08:09 on
>>> Wed, 17 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a
>>>> destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
>>>> between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how
>>>> the area round it is being transformed already.
>>>>
>>>> For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West
>>>> Point, which sounds like it should be next door to the US military
>>>> academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides
>>>> easy connections to the Liz in both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes
>>>> walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:
>>>>
>>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823
>>>>
>>>> It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than
>>>> the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building,
>>>
>>> That's student accommodation I think. I drive past from time to time.
>>
>> Not those four smart buildings (£500k for a one bed flat), but I think
>> the Imperial College Woodward Building across the
>> road is a hall of residence. But there's so many new IC buildings in that
>> area that it's hard to keep track of their
>> functions.
>>
>> Another large (16 storeys, over 600 units) new student accommodation
>> block nearby is inside the Hanger Lane Gyratory. I
>> hope the windows are soundproof!
>>
>> https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/construction-controversial-flats-over-600-24330108
>>
>
> Bugger me, I can remember my Parents and Grandparents lamenting the
> imminent demolition of the Chiswick Empire and a “Skyscraper” being built .
> Empire House was a mere 8 stories.
>

I'd seen those buildings from the A40, but hadn't realised the tallest was
54 storeys, slightly higher than the old BT Tower. I suspect that this
development predated the OOC plans, but it's a sign of how that part of
inner suburbia is developing.

Another nearby building (which I didn't photograph) was named Rehearsal Rooms. I initially assumed it must be what the
name suggested, perhaps serving a TV or film studio. But it looked like just more flats, and so it proved:

https://rehearsalrooms.com/blog/behind-name-actons-rehearsal-rooms/

https://www.newgroundarchitects.com/projects/rehearsal-rooms/

On Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:01:09 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:19:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>> In message <8c302j1pvcq7gnhtjvuefomt6ujg0hl16q@4ax.com>, at 19:08:09 on
>>>> Wed, 17 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>> We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a
>>>>> destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
>>>>> between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how
>>>>> the area round it is being transformed already.
>>>>>
>>>>> For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West
>>>>> Point, which sounds like it should be next door to the US military
>>>>> academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides
>>>>> easy connections to the Liz in both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes
>>>>> walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823
>>>>>
>>>>> It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than
>>>>> the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building,
>>>>
>>>> That's student accommodation I think. I drive past from time to time.
>>>
>>> Not those four smart buildings (£500k for a one bed flat), but I think
>>> the Imperial College Woodward Building across the
>>> road is a hall of residence. But there's so many new IC buildings in that
>>> area that it's hard to keep track of their
>>> functions.
>>>
>>> Another large (16 storeys, over 600 units) new student accommodation
>>> block nearby is inside the Hanger Lane Gyratory. I
>>> hope the windows are soundproof!
>>>
>>> https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/construction-controversial-flats-over-600-24330108
>>>
>>
>> Bugger me, I can remember my Parents and Grandparents lamenting the
>> imminent demolition of the Chiswick Empire and a “Skyscraper” being built .
>> Empire House was a mere 8 stories.
>>
>
>I'd seen those buildings from the A40, but hadn't realised the tallest was
>54 storeys, slightly higher than the old BT Tower. I suspect that this
>development predated the OOC plans, but it's a sign of how that part of
>inner suburbia is developing.
>
That bit possibly has little else it could be used for. The original
work paused during COVID and for some time the main presence was a
couple of lone lift shafts, one with a Irish flag on top.

In message <cbt22jdvvtu7cbq9f570o99jog483lntr1@4ax.com>, at 20:36:53 on
Thu, 18 Apr 2024, Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com>
remarked:
>On Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:01:09 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:19:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In message <8c302j1pvcq7gnhtjvuefomt6ujg0hl16q@4ax.com>, at 19:08:09 on
>>>>> Wed, 17 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>> We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a
>>>>>> destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
>>>>>> between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how
>>>>>> the area round it is being transformed already.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West
>>>>>> Point, which sounds like it should be next door to the US military
>>>>>> academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides
>>>>>> easy connections to the Liz in both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes
>>>>>> walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than
>>>>>> the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building,
>>>>>
>>>>> That's student accommodation I think. I drive past from time to time.
>>>>
>>>> Not those four smart buildings (£500k for a one bed flat), but I think
>>>> the Imperial College Woodward Building across the
>>>> road is a hall of residence. But there's so many new IC buildings in that
>>>> area that it's hard to keep track of their
>>>> functions.
>>>>
>>>> Another large (16 storeys, over 600 units) new student accommodation
>>>> block nearby is inside the Hanger Lane Gyratory. I
>>>> hope the windows are soundproof!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/construction-controve
>>>>rsial-flats-over-600-24330108
>>>>
>>>
>>> Bugger me, I can remember my Parents and Grandparents lamenting the
>>> imminent demolition of the Chiswick Empire and a “Skyscraper” being built .
>>> Empire House was a mere 8 stories.
>>>
>>
>>I'd seen those buildings from the A40, but hadn't realised the tallest was
>>54 storeys, slightly higher than the old BT Tower. I suspect that this
>>development predated the OOC plans, but it's a sign of how that part of
>>inner suburbia is developing.
>>
>That bit possibly has little else it could be used for. The original
>work paused during COVID and for some time the main presence was a
>couple of lone lift shafts, one with a Irish flag on top.

And they've been planning OOC since the original HS2 bill was drafted
and put before Parliament. That was ages ago.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <cbt22jdvvtu7cbq9f570o99jog483lntr1@4ax.com>, at 20:36:53 on
> Thu, 18 Apr 2024, Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com>
> remarked:
>> On Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:01:09 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:19:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> In message <8c302j1pvcq7gnhtjvuefomt6ujg0hl16q@4ax.com>, at 19:08:09 on
>>>>>> Wed, 17 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>>> We've occasionally discussed whether OOC will one day become a
>>>>>>> destination in its own right, rather than just a junction
>>>>>>> between routes. Most here were sceptical, but I've been watching how
>>>>>>> the area round it is being transformed already.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> For example, one development about half a mile to the west is One West
>>>>>>> Point, which sounds like it should be next door to the US military
>>>>>>> academy. It's very close to North Acton Tube station (which provides
>>>>>>> easy connections to the Liz in both directions), and perhaps 15 minutes
>>>>>>> walk to the future OOC station. Here's some pics I took today:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720316289823
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It has four residential buildings, the tallest of which is higher than
>>>>>>> the Gherkin or the main BT Tower building,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That's student accommodation I think. I drive past from time to time.
>>>>>
>>>>> Not those four smart buildings (£500k for a one bed flat), but I think
>>>>> the Imperial College Woodward Building across the
>>>>> road is a hall of residence. But there's so many new IC buildings in that
>>>>> area that it's hard to keep track of their
>>>>> functions.
>>>>>
>>>>> Another large (16 storeys, over 600 units) new student accommodation
>>>>> block nearby is inside the Hanger Lane Gyratory. I
>>>>> hope the windows are soundproof!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/construction-controve
>>>>> rsial-flats-over-600-24330108
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Bugger me, I can remember my Parents and Grandparents lamenting the
>>>> imminent demolition of the Chiswick Empire and a “Skyscraper” being built .
>>>> Empire House was a mere 8 stories.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I'd seen those buildings from the A40, but hadn't realised the tallest was
>>> 54 storeys, slightly higher than the old BT Tower. I suspect that this
>>> development predated the OOC plans, but it's a sign of how that part of
>>> inner suburbia is developing.
>>>
>> That bit possibly has little else it could be used for. The original
>> work paused during COVID and for some time the main presence was a
>> couple of lone lift shafts, one with a Irish flag on top.
>
> And they've been planning OOC since the original HS2 bill was drafted
> and put before Parliament. That was ages ago.

The original planning permission was given in February 2017, so, yes, the
OOC station would have been on the horizon. But I suspect that Crossrail
rather then HS2 was the bigger attraction, and that can be reached more
conveniently via North Acton tube station.

I see that two more even taller developments have been approved for the
same area:

https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/pilbrows-acton-towers-get-the-nod-from-planners/5125954.article