Stanhope confirmed for £1bn research hub
A Stanhope-led consortium has been confirmed as the preferred partner for one of London’s most valuable sites, which could result in a £1bn research hub.
As revealed by EG in December, Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan have been selected by the British Library to develop a 2.8-acre site to the north of its Grade I listed building at St Pancras, N1, as a major new centre for commerce, knowledge and research. Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has been appointed as architect.
At the heart of the development will be 100,000 sq ft of new British Library spaces for learning, exhibitions and public use, including a new northern entrance and a headquarters for the Alan Turing Institute, the national centre for data science research.
A Stanhope-led consortium has been confirmed as the preferred partner for one of London’s most valuable sites, which could result in a £1bn research hub.
As revealed by EG in December, Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan have been selected by the British Library to develop a 2.8-acre site to the north of its Grade I listed building at St Pancras, N1, as a major new centre for commerce, knowledge and research. Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has been appointed as architect.
At the heart of the development will be 100,000 sq ft of new British Library spaces for learning, exhibitions and public use, including a new northern entrance and a headquarters for the Alan Turing Institute, the national centre for data science research.
The development will also include new commercial space for organisations and companies that wish to be located at the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter, close to the Francis Crick Institute and the other knowledge-based companies, research organisations, amenities and transport links located at King’s Cross and St Pancras.
The Stanhope consortium was appointed following a competitive dialogue procurement process that began in late 2015.
Universities and science minister Jo Johnson said: “This new development alongside the Francis Crick Institute will be another gem in the crown of London’s Knowledge Quarter, and an ideal location for commercial and life-sciences investment in an area already synonymous with pioneering thinking and Britain’s leadership in research. Our industrial strategy will support the development of projects like this to ensure the UK has the environment and skills we need maintain our position at the forefront of innovation.”
HM Treasury and the library’s sponsor department, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, have approved the full business case for the project. The development agreement with Stanhope is to be finalised this summer, with the design and planning process and an agreed solution to accommodating Crossrail 2 requirements into the development, taking place over the next 18 months.
To send feedback, e-mail Louisa.Clarence-Smith@egi.co.uk or tweet @LouisaClarence or @estatesgazette
