£1.1 billion investment confirmed for British Library Extension

We are thrilled that investment in the British Library Extension has been confirmed representing a major milestone on our journey to transform the Library’s St Pancras site.

The British Library, in partnership with SMBL (a company wholly owned by Mitsui Fudosan UK Ltd), has confirmed a £1.1 billion investment for the groundbreaking development..

The project, delivered with Stanhope PLC as development manager, will create over 100,000 sq ft (9,290 sq m) of new Library spaces dedicated to culture, learning, research, and business including expanded galleries and conservation facilities. Vibrant new public areas will connect the extension to the existing Library, including a ‘cultural foyer’ at the heart of the scheme enhancing local and business connectivity.

Along with the new Library facilities, around 600,000 sq ft (55,800 sq m) of space designed for scientific businesses seeking to locate at the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter will also be provided, creating a unique world class hub of research and innovation.

Graham Stirk, Senior Design Director, RSHP: ‘The design proposal aims to transform the British Library site to make it the most open, creative, and innovative institution of its kind anywhere in the world. This scheme will enable millions more people to access the Library as well as making provision for a possible new home for the Alan Turing Institute.

"The future vision of the British Library is made possible by a state-of-the-art life-science facility that creates a vibrant synergy between a major public institution and private sector applied sciences. This will be a new heart at the centre of the Knowledge Quarter in King’s Cross. We look forward to working as part of the wider team to support this unique and exciting development.

Lorna Edwards, Associate Director and Project Lead, RSHP: “We are delighted that this significant milestone in our journey together with our valued clients and project partners has been announced and look forward to realising the project vision.

“This initiative presents a fantastic opportunity to implement a collaboration-driven approach that will deliver significant benefits and establish a truly unique hub for research, culture, and innovation. The development will provide world-class facilities for pioneering Life Sciences organisations, whilst also introducing extensive public and cultural facilities for the British Library, improved green spaces, and fostering stronger neighbourhood links.”

Rebecca Lawrence, Chief Executive of the British Library, said:
“I am delighted to announce this significant milestone in our bold ambition to transform the British Library. Our partnership with Mitsui Fudosan will enable us to fulfil our long-held vision to extend the Library’s site in St Pancras. The plans will open up the Library even further, creating an expanded national library with state-of-the-art new spaces, harnessing the power of collaboration to build a new public realm linking communities and the Knowledge Quarter and deliver significant investment in the UK.

“We look forward to working with philanthropists, our partners and community to create a groundbreaking new hub for science, innovation and knowledge that will welcome future generations of visitors, learners, researchers and budding entrepreneurs.”

Takeshi Iwama, Chief Executive of Mitsui Fudosan UK, said:
“I am delighted to confirm the development of the British Library extension project. It represents a major milestone in the evolution of an exceptional opportunity. We are proud to be investing in the expansion of one of the UK’s most important cultural institutions, as well as continuing to work with community organisations in Camden to ensure that the benefits from this high-profile investment are experienced as much at the local level as they are nationally and internationally.
“Our development commitment represents what we believe to be one of the largest single real estate investments into London by a Japanese company to date. We have already acquired significant expertise in the life sciences sector across Japan and the US over almost a decade and will be bringing this to the British Library extension development, our first in this sector in Europe.

“We are confident that the new commercial space at the heart of the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter – and designed by leading international architectural practice RSHP and engineers Arup – will encourage some of the world’s most ambitious and successful life sciences companies to invest in the UK by the early 2030s.

“I would like to thank the British Library for its generous help and support over many years in getting this project over the line. We believe it can now be delivered with minimum disruption to the Library’s services and activities and with minimum impact on those living and working close to the site.”