The company behind the UK's biggest 3D printer is moving to London's Here East

Hobs Studio, the UK’s biggest 3D printing bureau, has chosen Here East’s campus as its new home for its London headquarters.

Hobs’ move to Here East, from its current Old Street base, is the latest in a line of technology and creative organisations that have chosen the tech and creative campus as firms look towards East London for future expansion.

The new 7,200 sq ft 3D printing and virtual reality lab is to employ around 30 people and provide visual and 3D printing services for architects, engineers, property developers and others in the construction industry.

Deputy mayor for business, Rajesh Agrawal, said: “London is Europe’s largest tech hub and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is establishing itself as a destination for exciting tech companies.

“It’s no surprise Hobs Studio is the latest small business to decide to take advantage of all the benefits of being based in this area. This is further evidence London is open for business and that the capital remains a highly attractive destination for innovative tech companies.”

Hobs works with around 95 of the Architects’ Journal’s top 100 architects, with many of the major property developers and with of most of the contractors in the construction industry.

Here East, developed by iCITY, a company owned by clients of Delancey, a specialist real estate investment advisory company, is a 1.2m sq ft campus for businesses, educators, entrepreneurs and artists to collaborate and create.

Hobs Studio’s move to Here East will mean the relocation of all of the company’s London 3D printing facilities, including the largest 3D printer of its kind in the UK. The move is expected to be complete by the end of 2017.

Gavin Poole, chief executive of Here East, said: “Here East’s mission is to bring organisations together, from small startups to multi-nationals.

“Spanning the creative, technological and construction sectors, Hobs encapsulates this mission and we look forward to seeing the results of its collaboration with existing tenants.”

In June, Plexal, an innovation centre offering 70,000 sq ft of incubator, accelerator and collaborative workspace, opened at the launch of London Tech Week.

This announcement builds upon the Mayor of London’s commitment to renew East London’s manufacturing heritage and transform the Thames Estuary into a world-leading hub for the creative and cultural industries.

Hobs is also planning to initiate a 3D academy that aims to build a talent pool of 3D specialists in an industry that has identified a substantial skills gap.