UK News

Merck has been planning a $1.3bn, 220,000 square foot research hub in London for six years but will finally begin construction in April this year, according to Mace, the newly appointed principal contractor.

The new hub is set to be located within Belgrove House on Euston Road, near King’s Cross railway station. This sets Merck within what is known as London’s Knowledge Quarter.

The new research facility is expected to house 800 researchers and office staff, including people working in marketing,financeandadministration. The majority of these staff will be acquired from the company’s existing sites around the country, however the development will open up 120 new jobs for scientists and technicians.

It is expected that researchers at the new facility will undertake early-stage research into age-related diseases, making it the only one of Merck’s labs to conduct this work outside of the US.

The facility will also be home to an education and outreach centre, a publicly accessible auditorium, a step-free entrance from King’s Cross as well as an educational outreach programme collaboration between Merck and Camden STEAM.

Merck’s press release states that “it has been designed using sustainable materials and includes an innovative double-skin façade to reduce solar gain. Carbon emissions generated through construction, operation and future fit-out will be reduced.”