Green Light for London's Quayside Laboratory Ecosystem

Planning approval from Tower Hamlets Council for the development of a commercial health and life sciences complex in the heart of London’s docklands has been secured by Canary Wharf Group (CWG) and Kadans Science Partner, since the joint venture was first announced in March 2022.

The proposed plans for the 23-storey 823,000 sq ft tower at the North Quay site, adjacent to the Crossrail Station and new Elizabeth Line at Canary Wharf, will result in a first of its kind vertical campus, predicted to become Europe’s largest and most technologically advanced life sciences facility. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the building’s low-carbon strategy has dictated the inclusion of highly insulated and airtight building fabric with an optimised façade, energy efficient MEP systems and the provision of renewable sources and highly efficient photo voltaic panels.

Meeting the industry leading NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) UK Design for Performance standard, it is now expected to be completed in 2027. The partnership is also reporting considerable interest in the building's office space from life sciences companies, with CWG expected to announce new leases imminently.

Other activities across the site have included the recent completion of a 40,000 sq ft wet lab innovation and flexible workspace centre geared towards early-stage life science companies and offering opportunities for collaboration on innovative projects.  Elsewhere across Canary Wharf, already well established companies and institutions include the government-owned genomic health pioneer, Genomics England, Barts Health NHS Trust, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Medical Defence Union, General Pharmaceutical Council and NHS Transformation.  Level39, Canary Wharf’s world-leading tech hub, has a vibrant community of 180 start-up and scaleup companies including an increasing number of life sciences focused businesses.

Shobi Khan, CEO of Canary Wharf Group, said: “This is a significant milestone in our development of a world-class life sciences hub at Canary Wharf.  While the North Quay development is an integral focal point, we have been working in tandem to nurture and grow our current life sciences community and we have built real momentum this year through leasing success and working with our partners Kadans to develop bespoke and innovative new facilities.  The next chapter in the evolution of Canary Wharf is well underway with the next generation of health and life science companies set to become a significant presence in our sustainable, mixed-use environment.”

Michel Leemhuis, CEO of Kadans Science Partner, added: “In addition to its scale, location and technology, this building sets a new benchmark in its field for sustainability, capitalising on our previous experience and lessons learned, while engaging industry working groups to ensure we are delivering a facility tailor-made to industry requirements. With planning consent secured, we are looking forward to continuing the extraordinary progress we are making with the Canary Wharf Group.”

More information online