Farrell, Koolhaas and KPF shortlisted to masterplan 43-acre mixed-use development in White City, west London

A shortlist of three star architects has been picked to masterplan a 43-acre slice of White City in west London, one of the capital’s biggest regeneration zones.

The three are British architect Terry Farrell and Partners, US firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and Dutch practice Office of Metropolitan Architecture, which is led by Rem Koolhaas.

The site, which is presently industrial land, could be used for a mixed-use scheme as big as 4 million ft2, comprising offices, homes and possibly a hotel and recording studio.

It is understood that the total cost of the project may be greater than £1.5bn.

The site is owned by a development consortium, called the White City Partnership, headed by developer Helical Bar, which has been appointed project co-ordinator. The other consortium members are asset manager Morley Fund Management, Marks & Spencer, gas network operator Lattice and the BBC.

A spokesperson for the White City Partnership confirmed the shortlist and said that a masterplanner would be picked in November.

It is understood that the total cost of the project may be greater than £1.5bn

She said: “We are in the process of selecting a world-class masterplanner to help deliver the collective aspirations for this prominent site.”

Helical Bar’s site, previously owned by Dairy Crest, lies to the north of a £1.5bn shopping centre development planned by fellow developer Chelsfield.

Ken Livingstone’s London Plan, published this February, identified White City as a key “opportunity area” for redevelopment. It suggested the creation of 11,000 jobs and 1200 homes. Some observers have envisaged the site adding to the BBC’s extensive media operations in the area to create a new “media village”.

White City will become one of London’s biggest regeneration schemes, ranking alongside the 72-acre redevelopment of King’s Cross and the 55-acre redevelopment of land at Wembley stadium.