Europe’s tallest commercial lab building begins construction at Canary Wharf, London.
- One North Quay to be an 823,000 sq ft vertical science campus, led by Canary Wharf Contractors.
- Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the lab will feature advanced facilities, including CL2 and CL3 lab spaces.
- Unmatched connectivity through Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, and DLR enhances accessibility for occupiers.
- The project supports Canary Wharf’s strategy of creating a vibrant urban community with diverse amenities.
Construction has commenced on Europe’s tallest purpose-built commercial lab building at Canary Wharf, London. This significant development marks a milestone in the region’s architectural and scientific landscape, promising to enhance London’s status as a global hub for innovation.
Canary Wharf Group, in partnership with Kadans Science Partner, is undertaking the development of One North Quay, an expansive 823,000 sq ft vertical science campus that is among the largest commercial projects currently underway in London. The construction is spearheaded by Canary Wharf Contractors, utilising a 3.28-hectare site formerly a laydown area for the Canary Wharf Crossrail station, now serving as part of the Elizabeth line.
The One North Quay project is being marketed as providing world-class laboratory spaces designed to support an ecosystem of companies. It aims to accommodate a range of organisations, from multinational corporations to educational institutions, alongside rapidly scaling life science and technology enterprises. Crucially, up to 60% of this 23-storey structure is designated as level 2 (CL2) wet laboratory space, capable of supporting up to level 3 laboratory containment (CL3). Additionally, the design includes double height floors to facilitate Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) spaces, aligning with the latest industry standards.
Designed by renowned architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, One North Quay features flexible floor plates and infrastructure intended to be ‘future-proof’, allowing occupiers to adapt to technological advancements. Located in the heart of Canary Wharf, the building offers exceptional connectivity and accessibility via the Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, and Docklands Light Rail (DLR), providing seamless links across Greater London and to major airports, including Heathrow and London City.
Shobi Khan, Chief Executive of Canary Wharf Group, highlighted the ambitious scope of the vertical campus, articulating its potential to set new standards in scale, technology, and sustainability. This initiative aligns with Canary Wharf’s broader strategy to foster a dynamic, mixed-use urban community, enriched with green spaces, retail, dining, leisure options, and an extensive annual events programme. Over recent years, Canary Wharf and Kadans have strategically targeted the burgeoning science, health, and technology sectors, successfully attracting over 30 life science-focused tenants, including the UK Health Security Agency, Barts Health NHS Trust, The Cancer Awareness Trust, and Genomics England.
The launch of One North Quay is a pivotal advancement in London’s scientific and urban development landscape.
