Medical research organisation LifeArc has pre-let AshbyCapital and Native Land’s 70,000 sq ft Kova KX life science development in London’s King’s Cross for its new HQ.
Designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects, Kova KX reimagines the Edwardian office building at 105 Judd Street, which was most recently used as the headquarters of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Around 75% of the existing five-storey structure has been retained and restored with a two-storey extension increasing the total floor area from 57,000 sq ft to 70,000 sq ft.
The building’s top three floors will offer green spaces and outdoor terraces and the lower ground floor will house health club-style showers and changing facilities, in addition to 140 cycle parking spaces.
Sam Barrell, CEO, and Stéphane Maikovsky, deputy CEO and CFO, of LifeArc, said: “The move to 105 Judd Street is an important milestone for LifeArc, enabling us to bring many of our expert staff and scientists together in a single building for the first time and improving our ability to turn promising scientific breakthroughs into new tests, treatments and cures for people living with a rare disease and global health infections.
“Kova KX is a high quality building in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter specially designed to meet LifeArc’s needs. It offers us the flexibility to continue to grow and adapt, and will enhance our ability to work with partners to accelerate promising research and innovation for people around the world living with challenging conditions.”
Peter Ferrari, chief executive of AshbyCapital, added: “The opportunity for life sciences real estate has been much talked about but this deal highlights that there is real demand for high quality space in the right location. As one of the first buildings in the city to be repurposed to cater specifically to life sciences tenants, this letting is a strong vote of confidence in the sector and an example of the refurbishment of buildings and re-use of existing structures.
“As well as providing exceptional facilities within London’s growing Knowledge Quarter, Kova KX will also be highly sustainable. By refurbishing rather than building from scratch, we’re saving 512kg/m2 of embodied carbon, as well as delivering significant biophilia enhancements including a green roof, landscaped terracing and a wildflower pocket park. We look forward to welcoming LifeArc to the building in 2027.”
Alasdair Nicholls, chief executive of Native Land, said: “Kova KX breaks new ground for sustainable, Grade A lab and office space in a repurposed heritage building. Native Land is proud to have identified the potential of this opportunity within the Knowledge Quarter, and attracted an investment partner to jointly realise a project of such quality. Beyond this, the asset’s inherent strengths of a prime location, heritage value, intelligent specification and best-in-class amenities have all combined to create the success of Kova KX.
“We have worked hard to ensure that our building at 105 Judd Street has become structurally and spatially ideal for transformation into the urban life science facility, which has brought LifeArc to Kova KX. With our partners AshbyCapital, Native Land has demonstrated that heritage buildings should and can be creatively repurposed to cater to the most exacting and demanding of property occupiers.”
Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank are the leasing agents on Kova KX. Savills represented LifeArc on the letting. The scheme is being built out by main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey.
