Huge boost for UK’s biggest library in for £1.1bn extension | UK | News
Britain’s biggest library is in for a huge boost as a £1.1billion extension is to go ahead. The British Library in the shadow of St. Pancras station in central London holds more than 170million items, including books, manuscripts, maps and music scores. Designed by Sir Colin St. John Wilson and opened just before the dawn of the new millenium in 1998, the orginal building spans 120,000 spuare metres over 14 floors.
The library will soon be even bigger, as it, together with partner, SMBL, a company wholly owned by Mitsui Fudosan UK. Ltd, an arm of the global real estate company headquartered in Tokyo; and development manager Stanhope PLC, is embarking on a project that will include “transformational” new public spaces at the site alongside new, “globally significant” capacity for the commercial science, innovation and knowledge industry.
The scheme will “enhance the library’s national and international impact with new exhibition galleries, event spaces and new learning, business and innovation facilities”, managers say.
Work is to begin in 2026. Bosses note that the site will also “support the future creation of a new underground station for Crossrail 2 by connecting Euston and St Pancras”.
This will mean that the area is the “most important transport interchange in the UK”.
The Library’s new spaces and the Station Works infrastructure for Crossrail 2 beneath the site, as well as other benefits of the scheme, will be funded by new commercial space (c. 55,800 sqm). This will also create more job opportunities within the area.
“The British Library is one of the greatest British cultural institutions and this funding will see it undergo an ambitious transformation, creating new spaces that will showcase our national story and history,” Culture, Science and Technology Minister Sir Chris Bryant said.
“The creation of a new world-class commercial science and innovation space in London’s Knowledge Quarter will also help encourage investment in this vital sector in the UK. I look forward to seeing how this major development will benefit the local community and beyond, supporting growth and innovation.”
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.”
She added: “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.”
