Landmark life sciences development reaches milestone

Advanced Research Clusters (ARC) and Kier have hosted a topping out ceremony at ARC West London’s Refinery development in Hammersmith to mark the completion of the main structure. 

When complete, the building will provide a state-of-the-art new home for life science organisations in the UK.

The project will create 150,000 sq ft of high-spec laboratory, research and development space under one roof. 

Located on the Northern Embankment of the River Thames, the project includes the extension and full reconfiguration of the existing four-storey building on site. 

Two additional storeys will also be added, along with a green roof and a new façade. 

Inside, the space will be fully redeveloped to provide laboratories, and flexible working spaces including a business lounge, design-led offices, co-working spaces and meeting rooms. 

The facility will also have a restaurant and café, event studio, presentation suite and cycle facilities for 200 bicycles. 

David Rowsell, managing director for Kier Construction London said: “We are proud to have reached this significant milestone at Refinery, a showcase development for innovation and technology in West London. 

“The life science sector is a key sector for us with fantastic opportunities for growth and today’s event gives us the opportunity to celebrate the expertise, hard work and dedication of the team responsible for delivering such a remarkable building.”

Daniel Pagella, senior director for asset management at ARC, added: “West London is a strategically important location for innovation, and we’re delighted to have reached this important milestone which will see Refinery sitting at the heart of the West London’s thriving science community.”

The Refinery development will double ARC West London’s footprint and has been designed to address the crippling shortage of lab space across London and the wider Golden Triangle. 

It will sit alongside ARCs accelerator space Motherlabs. 

The landmark space will house the thriving innovation community, which has seen a 43% increase in life science start-ups across London and the South East.