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NEWS MIXED USE SCHEMES
First building at King Cross life sciences campus features Earth blocks
The Apex, the fi rst building within London’s largest purpose-built life sciences development, TRIBECA, has completed in Kings Cross. Designed by Bennetts Associates for Reef Group, The Apex offers 112,526 ft2 of state-of-the- art offi ce and laboratory space across six fl oors. It is the fi rst of fi ve buildings planned for construction, forming part of a bespoke mixed-use development. Following its completion in 2026, the scheme will deliver nearly 1 million ft2 of premium workspace, laboratories, retail and residential space in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter and biotech cluster.
Situated on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting offi ce, often dubbed the ‘Ugly Brown Building’, The Apex will provide occupiers with a large open reception and ground fl oor cafe that sits level with the canal. There will also be extensive support facilities at the ground and basement levels, a roof terrace, and best-in-class commercial and laboratory space across all fl oors.
The Francis Crick Institute is supporting 52,000 ft2 of space in the Apex and The London BioScience Innovation Centre (“LBIC”) has signed a lease on 39,000 ft2 of space – around 35% of the building, offering state- of-the-art scale-up lab facilities to its growing customer base as a world-leading destination for bioscience research and development. One of LBIC’s fi rst occupiers at The Apex is Baseimmune, a “discovery stage biotech developing universal vaccines with variant-proof antigens.” Bennetts Associates’ design allows for optimum fl exibility for tenants seeking unique working environments. A variety of lab and offi ce confi gurations will also be realised via the hybrid base building which utilises a structural frame. Additionally, the servicing strategy enables a blend of uses, integrating additional riser space zones within core areas and drainage provision, whilst providing an enhanced ventilation system for lab use.
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The Apex is the UK’s fi rst large-scale building to use site subsoil as a construction material. The project has used excavated clay to make 13,000 ‘Earth blocks,’ which in turn have been used for the perimeter walls of the building’s basement in place of block work.
Unlike standard blockwork, which has limited recycling potential, Earth blocks can be broken down and reused, or returned to nature at the end of their lifespan. As such, the Earth block can store the building resource within the walls of the development throughout the lifetime of the building. When compared to medium- density cement blockwork, the earth blocks emit only one-tenth of the CO2
.
This natural material also brings climatic benefi ts to buildings – it regulates indoor temperature and humidity levels and purifi es the air by trapping airborne pollutants. The Apex is on target to reach BREEAM Excellent rating
which strongly aligns with Reef Group’s ESG commitments.
In keeping with the unique tapestry of materials of the Regent’s Canal, a palette of traditional materials including brickwork have been incorporated in the exterior of the design. “The variation of tone across the buildings and landscaping has been developed to complement and enhance the rich materiality of the nearby Kings Cross conservation area,” said Bennetts. Gavin Pike, associate director at Bennetts Associates, said: “TRIBECA is a signifi cant project we’ve been working closely with Reef Group on for eight years. The Apex sets the tone for the campus, which sits at the centre of what is set to be London’s largest life sciences development. Once complete, TRIBECA will provide a new community for occupiers to collaborate and innovate in a contemporary canal side environment.” TRIBECA is set to complete in 2026.
ADF MARCH 2025
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