Rebecca Lawrence, Chief Executive of the British Library, said: "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."
Groundbreaking British Library Development Confirmed
British Library
Artist’s impression of the new British Library extension, featuring visitors exploring the site and surrounding space
The British Library has confirmed a £1.1 billion new development of the Library’s St Pancras site which will create new public spaces for the British Library alongside new, globally significant capacity for commercial science, innovation and knowledge industry.
The development will create an expanded national Library in London to welcome hundreds of thousands more people a year to its exhibitions, learning programmes, business support, and events.
Funded by Mitsui Fudosan, the scheme will enhance the Library’s national and international impact with new exhibition galleries, event spaces and new learning, business and innovation facilities. The development will further support the regeneration of the local area with new green spaces, learning and employment opportunities and a £23m contribution towards affordable housing.
Highlights of the 100,000 sq ft new public space will include:
- new exhibition galleries, doubling the size of the Library’s existing gallery space
- expanded and more diverse spaces for the Library’s well-established business support services
- a brand-new learning centre providing enhanced educational experiences for visitors
- an expanded multi-use foyer space with event spaces available for local businesses and the community
