Canary Wharf Group and Kadans Science Partner plan to build Europe’s largest life-science building capable of accommodating ‘wet labs’ in London.
The joint venture will develop a 750,000sqft, 22-storey tower in Canary Wharf, a district of the city traditionally known for financial services tenants.
Canary Wharf Group and Kadans, the European life-science real estate platform of AXA IM Alts, said it would be the first phase of a plan to create a world-leading centre for health and life sciences on the 3.3 hectare North Quay site next to the new Elizabeth Line station.
The building, designed by architects KPF and scheduled to be completed in 2026, will be able to accommodate experimental laboratory space on all floors and is intended to act as a “campus under one roof”, housing SMEs, academics and global healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
Shobi Khan, CEO of Canary Wharf Group, said: “Canary Wharf Group has been developing a vision for health and life sciences since 2019 and we are proud to be working with an exceptional partner in Kadans, the European leader in the development and management of life-sciences buildings and ecosystems.
“We are creating a world-class building that will provide state-of-the-art laboratory, office and innovation space for some of the most exciting and fast-growing businesses in the health and life-sciences sector.”
“Canary Wharf is a true live, work and play destination, with 20 acres of outdoor green space, 5km of dockside boardwalks, hundreds of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. We have developed 2,300 apartments on site with another 2,300 homes currently under construction – we have homes for every income level, which will enable researchers and their colleagues to live close by.”
Michel Leemhuis, CEO of Kadans Science Partner, said: “Kadans aims to contribute to the innovative power of the life-sciences sector by developing state-of-the-art lab buildings as well as offering support and an international community.
“This joint venture with Canary Wharf Group, which is fully supported by our sponsor and partner AXA IM Alts, provides us with a rare opportunity to not only develop a significant and sustainable new life-sciences lab building, which will be the largest in Europe, but also for it to be the catalyst for a new world-leading life-sciences cluster and ecosystem in the UK capital.
“The Canary Wharf district offers exceptional connectivity, providing access to a huge talent pool and numerous funding partners from its existing tenant base, which will be a highly compelling combination for potential occupiers as well as an exceptional addition to our existing network.”
