Canary Wharf Group plans 22-storey tower for Europe’s largest commercial lab

Plans have been unveiled to build Europe’s largest commercial lab building in Canary Wharf, London.

The development has been put forward by a joint venture (JV) between Canary Wharf Group and Kadans Science Partner.

It involves building a 22-storey tower on the 3.3ha North Quay site next to the new Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line station, which is due to open in the coming months.

With 750,000 square feet of space across 22 storeys, the building is earmarked to be delivered in 2026 and will become the largest commercial wet lab-enabled life science building in Europe.

The building will create a campus under one roof, housing small and medium-sized enterprises and academics, as well as global healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. Importantly, it will be a laboratory building at its core, with full flexibility allowing lab space on all floors.

Shobi Khan, chief executive 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.”

He added: “Canary Wharf is a true live, work and play destination, with 20 acres of outdoor green space, 5 km of dockside boardwalks, hundreds of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. We have developed 2,300 apartments onsite 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, chief executive of Kadans Science Partner, added: “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.”

Last month, planning approval was secured for a £250m residential tower in Canary Wharf.

In January, a £100m refurb of Citigroup’s Canary Wharf tower was also announced.