Work Commences to Restore Historic High Street Buildings
McIlroy Terrace is to be fully refurbished as part of Brentford Project
129-134 Brentford High Street to get makeover. Picture: Brentford TV
June 20, 2025
A parade of shops on the south side of Brentford High Street is about to see work on what aims to be a sympathetic refurbishment on these historic buildings.
129–130 and 131–134 Brentford High Street form part of Plot B of the Brentford Waterside redevelopment for which permission has been given for the full restoration including of the Grade II listed McIlroy Terrace at 129-130 which dates back to the 18th century. The building had been the premises of Motorwise before being purchase as part of the broader development. Unlike much of the rest of the parade of shops formerly on the south side of the High Street, these were spared demolition due to their historic value.
Works planned include the refurbishment of the historic façade, preserving and enhancing original architectural features. There will be an extension at the rear to increase the space for a shop and the upper floors will be for residential use including roof terraces.
131–134 Brentford High Street, which is a locally listed 19th century building and was vacant and in poor repair when the project began, will be upgraded in a similar fashion. The shopfronts and signage for both buildings are required to be restrained and heritage-informed.
The residential units above No’s 129-130 will have access off the high street via a historic stair entrance and stair well, No’s 131-134 will have separate secure access from Clitherow’s Yard.
The Corinthian Column at the front of No’s 129-130 is a later addition but is being retained as part of the plans.
Original chimney breasts are being removed as they restrict proposed environmental improvements, but they will be dismantled during demolition to ensure they can be reinstated elsewhere.
The buildings at 129 and 130 High Street trace their origins to a long-standing drapers’ business—serving the community for over 200 years as family-run clothiers.
The buildings were the former home of a family run drapers. Picture: Janet McNamara
In 1907, W. McIlroy Ltd., a department-store chain, acquired the premises. By 1911, a modernization plan introduced a grand three-storey façade, initially spanning a two-storey (No 129) and three-storey (No 130) structure .
The 1910/11 valuation also mentioned terrazzo flooring in the entrances—a marker of the building’s early 20th century style .
A 1906 postcard shows a doorman in uniform and window displays advertising “Underwear,” “Furs,” “Dress Materials,” and “Dry Cleaning”—painting an image of McIlroy’s as a bustling, full-service department store .
From the eighties the building was the home of Autowise. Picture: Janet McNamara
By the 1980s–2000s, the iconic “McIlroy” tiled entrance remained visible, preserving the building’s historic character.
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