For more than a century, the Kodak Works in Harrow stood as a familiar landmark on the local skyline, a place where generations of workers helped bring photography into everyday life.
Established in the early 20th century, the factory became one of the borough’s defining industrial sites, employing thousands and shaping the identity of the surrounding community. Families built livelihoods there, and for many residents the name Kodak became synonymous with Harrow itself.
Although the factory closed in the early 2000s, its legacy continues to shape the area today. The former site is now being redeveloped as Eastman Village, a large residential neighbourhood that aims to preserve elements of the location’s history while introducing new housing to the borough.
Earlier this month, that heritage was brought into focus during a history workshop held at the development, by Barratt London. The event invited residents and visitors to explore the story of the former Kodak Works and its place within Harrow’s wider past.
Delivered in partnership with St Mary’s Church, Harrow on the Hill, the interactive session traced the evolution of the area, from its early industrial roots to the transformation now taking place. Attendees were also introduced to the origins of the name Eastman Village, inspired by George Eastman, the American entrepreneur who founded the Kodak company and helped make photography accessible to the public.
The discussion also placed the site within the wider story of Harrow, highlighting nearby landmarks such as Harrow School and Headstone Manor, both reminders of the borough’s long and layered history.
For many local residents, however, the Kodak factory remains a powerful symbol of community life. Beyond its role as a major employer, the works created social networks, friendships and shared memories that have endured long after the factory gates closed.
Today the redevelopment of the site forms part of a wider regeneration programme across Harrow, expected to bring new homes, jobs and facilities to the borough.
Joseph Antoniazzi, Director of Sales & Marketing for Barratt London comments: “For many people in Harrow, the former Kodak Works meant more than employment, and generations of local families still have strong connections to the site today. That sense of community is an important part of what the former Kodak factory represented to the area, and something we are committed to preserving as it is transformed into Eastman Village.
“Our focus is on creating a neighbourhood that brings people together and pays homage to its rich history, ensuring Eastman Village is a place with the same strong sense of community for future residents. By hosting this workshop with Saint Mary’s Church, we wanted to give residents and visitors the opportunity to better understand how the area has evolved and how Eastman Village is building on that legacy.”
Prices at Eastman Village start from £330,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, with selected homes ready to move into now.
While the landscape of the area is changing, events such as the history workshop aim to ensure that the story of the Kodak Works, and the generations of people connected to it — remains an integral part of Harrow’s identity.
