Canary Wharf is taking the next step in its move away from finance – with its next major venture branching into life sciences.
Europe’s largest commercial lab building will feature as the first phase of a health and life sciences cluster at North Quay, neighbouring the Canary Wharf Elizabeth line station.
Canary Wharf Group and Kadans Science Partner have formed a joint venture to develop a new 750,000 sq ft GIA life-science focused, wet lab enabled building at the 3.3 hectare site.
With 750,000 sq ft of space across 22 storeys, the building, which will be delivered in 2026, will be the largest commercial wet lab enabled life science building in Europe. Importantly it will be a laboratory building at its core, with full flexibility allowing lab space on all floors.
The building will create a campus under one roof, housing SME’s and academics as well as global healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
CWG CEO Shobi Khan 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.
Homes on site
“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 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 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.”
Read more: New institute of technology college for London City Island