British Library inks deal for 100,000 sq ft extension
The British Library has signed an agreement with SMBL Developments to develop plans to build a 100,000 sq ft extension.
SMBL Developments is a consortium comprising Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan UK, working with architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and engineer Arup.
The extension will house state-of-the-art facilities for British Library learning, business and exhibition spaces, a new northern entrance to the library and a new headquarters for the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence, the Alan Turing Institute.
The British Library has signed an agreement with SMBL Developments to develop plans to build a 100,000 sq ft extension.
SMBL Developments is a consortium comprising Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan UK, working with architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and engineer Arup.
The extension will house state-of-the-art facilities for British Library learning, business and exhibition spaces, a new northern entrance to the library and a new headquarters for the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence, the Alan Turing Institute.
The project follows heavy development over the past two decades at King’s Cross. In 2014, the British Library co-founded the Knowledge Quarter, a collaboration of more than 90 knowledge, creative and research organisations all located within a one mile radius of the British Library.
Roly Keating, chief executive of the British Library, said: “This project ensures we continue to grow as an open, creative and innovative institution at the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, in service to our growing public audiences in London, the rest of the UK and around the world. We look forward to working with local and national stakeholders alike, as our shared vision takes shape over the coming months and years.”
The British Library and SMBL are also working closely with Transport for London to ensure that infrastructure required for Crossrail 2 can be accommodated within the new development. The proposed scheme is conditional on reaching this agreement and securing planning consent.
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