Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the lead contractor for a new life science development at 17 Columbus Courtyard (17CC) in Canary Wharf.
The company has been appointed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, supported by LS Estates, to oversee the transformation of the existing building into a state-of-the-art life science and technology hub.
Designed by Scott Brownrigg, the research facility will provide 190,000 sq ft of flexible laboratory and office space spanning nine upper floors. The ground floor will feature a new communal amenity area with café, co-working space and shared high-spec meeting rooms and conference facilities.
The redevelopment project will retain, repurpose and upgrade as much of the existing building as possible, minimising raw material usage and limiting the upfront embodied carbon for the project to 337 kgCO2e/m2.
Rowan Jenkins, managing director – development at LS Estates, said: “Morgan Sindall’s appointment as lead contractor for 17CC marks a significant milestone in the building’s transformation to becoming a cutting-edge life science and technology facility for Canary Wharf. 17CC has been designed to provide a collaborative environment throughout, with flexible floorspace and specification options available for a range of different occupiers, from late-stage start-ups to more established companies.”
Mark Swetman, CEO of LS Estates, added: “Working in partnership with Morgan Sindall is a positive step towards the redevelopment of 17CC. We look forward to seeing the successful completion of this state-of-the-art research facility, which will form an integral part of the emerging Canary Wharf life science cluster.”
Richard Dobson, area director for London at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “17CC will exemplify how existing buildings can be repurposed and adapted to accommodate the changing nature of the workplace, assisting occupants in meeting their sustainability objectives. We’re looking forward to working alongside LS Estates to realise the potential 17CC has to offer for innovators working across the life science and technology sector.”
Morgan Sindall will begin work on site this month and completion of the building is planned for 2026.
