The Firestone Tyre Factory was a notable Art Deco industrial landmark on the Great West Road, built in 1928 for the American Firestone Tire and Rubber Company — then one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers. Designed by the prominent architectural firm Wallis, Gilbert & Partners, its bold façade featured geometric forms and Egyptian-inspired motifs that made it one of the most striking examples of early 20th-century industrial architecture, along what became known as the ‘Golden Mile‘.
The factory served as a major tyre production site for over five decades, contributing significantly to local employment and Brentford’s industrial identity. However, production ceased in 1979 amid industry changes and financial pressures. Shortly afterwards the site was sold for redevelopment.
In a controversial episode in August 1980, much of the iconic building was demolished over a Bank Holiday weekend, reportedly in the days just before an emergency heritage listing could take effect. The loss of the Firestone factory generated public outrage and became a pivotal moment for architectural conservation in the UK — energising campaigns to protect 20th-century buildings and leading to expanded listing protections for other inter-war structures.
Today the original factory no longer stands, but its history remains a touchstone in West London’s industrial past and the wider story of heritage preservation. The new Firestone LDN building makes a significant nod in branding and design to its predecessor.