Rolls-Royce Goodwood Extension Declared Weathertight

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marks a milestone as its 40,000 m² Goodwood extension becomes weathertight, paving the way for fit-out and Bespoke expansion.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reached a significant milestone in the expansion of its manufacturing complex at Goodwood. The new 40,000 m² building has now been formally declared fully weathertight, meaning the structure is sealed from the elements and ready for the next phase of internal fit-out.

The moment was marked with a symbolic gesture: Chief Executive Chris Brownridge and members of the Board of Directors signed the final one of 1,745 wooden louvres installed on the exterior. Previously, the Directors had also signed the last structural steel beam before it was lifted into place. The ceremony deliberately echoes the practice of Sir Henry Royce, who was known for personally inspecting and approving components in his pursuit to “strive for perfection in everything.”

The new extension continues the architectural language of the original Goodwood facility, which opened on 1 January 2003. Its façade is clad in red cedar — the same material used on the original building. Each louvre, measuring 100 cm by 58 cm, has been selected for durability and for the way the wood gradually weathers to a soft silver-grey tone, allowing the structure to blend into the surrounding Goodwood landscape. The site itself has long been associated with environmental sensitivity, including its eight-acre living roof designed to integrate the factory into its rural setting.

With the building now weathertight, work can begin on the internal fit-out. A key element of the expansion is the new Surface Finish Centre, which will support paint and finishing operations — a critical capability for a marque where personalisation defines the product. In recent years, Rolls-Royce has reported record levels of Bespoke commissions by both value and volume, alongside record deliveries. In 2023, the company delivered 6,032 motor cars worldwide, the highest annual figure in its history. The sustained demand for individualisation, including exclusive Coachbuild projects such as the four-unit Droptail series, underpins the rationale for increased production capacity.

At more than £300 million, the extension represents the largest single investment in the Home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since its opening in 2003. The company states that its contribution to the UK economy exceeds £500 million annually. More than 2,500 people are employed at the Goodwood site, with thousands more jobs supported across the wider supply chain.

The project remains on schedule for full completion in 2029, with some areas and equipment expected to become operational earlier. Against a backdrop of continued growth in Bespoke demand and the brand’s transition toward electrification, the expansion appears not merely as a construction milestone, but as a structural foundation for the next chapter of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars — one defined by craftsmanship, precision and uncompromising standards.