Work begins on British Library extension

Work has formally begun on a London development that will expand one of the country’s leading cultural institutions while creating new space for science, innovation and knowledge-based businesses.

A groundbreaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction on the 700,000sq ft extension to the British Library, which is due to be completed in 2032.

The development is being delivered by SMBL, wholly owned by Japanese property company Mitsui Fudosan UK, in partnership with the British Library.

Stanhope PLC is development manager, with Mace Construct appointed construction manager.

Mitsui Fudosan Ltd confirmed a £1.1 billion funding package for the scheme last year.

Designed by architectural practice RSHP with engineers Arup, the project will provide around 100,000sq ft of additional public space for the Library.

Plans include new exhibition galleries that will double its existing gallery space, alongside an expanded business support offer, maker spaces and a new learning centre.

A larger multi-use foyer and event spaces will also be created, with additional entrances designed to improve connections with surrounding communities.

Takeshi Iwama, chief executive of Mitsui Fudosan UK, said: “We are proud to be involved in such a significant and exceptional project for London and the UK, and a development which will help to facilitate the expansion of one of the UK’s most important cultural institutions, the British Library. 

“Groundbreaking is always a key moment to be celebrated in the life of any project, but it is especially meaningful for this scheme which has been a decade in the making.  

“We are confident that our proposal will encourage some of the world’s most ambitious and successful life sciences companies to invest in the UK by the early 2030s.  

“We also look forward to working with local community organisations in Camden and businesses across the Knowledge Quarter – as well as further afield – to ensure that the benefits from this high-profile development are experienced equally at the local level as they are nationally and internationally.  

“As work on this project moves ahead, we will continue to remain committed to the British Library extension and all our other investments in London as we recognise the importance of the UK as a key global investment location.”

Around 600,000sq ft will be dedicated to commercial science, data and life sciences, with the development aiming to strengthen links between businesses and organisations across the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter.

These include the Francis Crick Institute and Alan Turing Institute, as well as the British Library’s collections and expertise.

The wider scheme will provide a £23 million contribution towards affordable housing and create opportunities for local employment, skills development and affordable workspace.

Public realm improvements are also planned, including new routes connecting Somers Town and St Pancras and a community garden on Ossulston Street.

The development will additionally safeguard space for future Crossrail 2 infrastructure.

Yugo Ono, executive managing officer and chief operating officer, international division, at Mitsui Fudosan, added: “We believe that libraries, which play a crucial role in academia, research, and education, have strong synergies with lab offices, which serve as research & development hubs.  

“This project is particularly attractive to companies seeking collaboration with The Alan Turing Institute, a world-renowned AI research centre and The Francis Crick Institute, the largest life sciences research facility in Europe.

“The British Library development will form part of a larger global strategy for the sector, which provides enhanced opportunities to create economic and social value in the long term as well as urban regeneration at scale.  

“I would like to thank the British Library for its generous help and support over many years in getting this project over the line and look forward to working with all those involved in facilitating and supporting its delivery in the years ahead.”

Around 100 guests attended the groundbreaking ceremony on September 21, including representatives from local community groups, Camden Council and businesses within the Knowledge Quarter.

Reflecting Mitsui Fudosan’s Japanese heritage, the event incorporated traditional Shinto rituals intended to prepare the site for construction and wish for the safe delivery of the project.

The Ji chin sai ceremony included participants breaking the ground three times while calling “Eih”, a tradition intended to attract the attention of the land’s guardian spirit while showing respect to the earth.

Guests also took part in Tamagushi houten, dedicating an evergreen sprig as an expression of harmony with nature.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: “This extension of the world-renowned British Library is fantastic news for London.  

“The £1.1 billion investment will further cement our reputation as a global leader for innovative research and a thriving cultural hub.  

“The expansion in London’s Knowledge Quarter will also kick-start new job growth, contribute towards affordable housing and support the regeneration of the area with new green spaces for all Londoners to enjoy.  

“This is a hugely exciting milestone for London and we look forward to working with the British Library and Mitsui Fudosan on this extension project as we build a better, fairer, more prosperous city for everyone.”

Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added: “I welcome the British Library extension as an exceptional development which builds on the Library’s presence as a major hub for research located at the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter.  

“As well as delivering a greatly expanded Library with connected public spaces, the proposal creates a new centre for commercial science, technology and life sciences aimed at supporting the advancement of science and innovation by forging new connections and facilitating new partnerships.  

“It is great to see the commitment of one of Japan’s leading businesses, Mitsui Fudosan, to such a significant long-term investment in the UK and I wish the company – as well as the British Library – every success in the future as work to deliver the extension starts to move forward.”

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