Research and Translation Hub construction to begin at Imperial West

Construction of the flagship research and translation centre on the College's new campus, Imperial West, will begin in September.

On 28 July Imperial completed contracts with real estate and investment firm Voreda to build the Research and Translation Hub in collaboration with construction experts Laing O’Rourke.

On construction in 2017, the £200 million Research and Translation Hub will form the centrepiece of the new Imperial West innovation district in White City. The 48,000 square metre Hub will deliver world-class education, research and translation activities, and foster partnerships with global stakeholders from business, industry, higher education and the NHS. 

Professor David Gann CBE, Vice-President (Development & Innovation) at Imperial College London, said: “Imperial West’s Research and Translation Hub provides the physical environment to enable world-class research and knowledge transfer at scale – driving innovation and growth.  Working with our partners at Voreda, Laing O’Rourke and Santander, we are delivering the next phase in the development of Imperial West: London’s new innovation district.  With the capacity to generate and sustain thousands of jobs, this project represents an important investment in the future of Imperial in White City and the capital as a whole.

“Imperial West already hosts scores of innovative spin-outs and start-ups, and is highly connected to London’s TechCity and MedCity ecosystems. The Research and Translation Hub allows us to take this to the next level. Other major new facilities will follow on as our vision for Imperial West comes to fruition."

Community Benefits

John Anderson, Director of Financial Strategy at Imperial College London, said: “We are looking forward to continuing our work with Voreda to ensure the Research and Translation Hub reaches its full potential as a centre for scientific excellence.

“Imperial and our partners will work hard to maximise benefits to the local community.  The Research and Translation Hub will play a major part in making Imperial West a great place to live and work.”

Steve Dykes, one of the co-founders of Voreda, said: “Having worked in partnership with Imperial College London since 2009 to successfully deliver GradPad Wood Lane Studios at Imperial West, we are thrilled to have secured the next phase of the project.  Imperial’s vision is exemplary and we are honoured to be working with one of the world’s leading research institutions. We are committed to delivering their vision and to make Imperial West the destination for innovation and entrepreneurship in London”.

The Research and Translation Hub includes a 23,000 sq m translation centre and a 25,000 sq m research centre.

Incorporating 50 new scalable units for university and industry spinouts and new ventures, the translation centre will serve the needs of London's growing enterprise community.  It will be run by Imperial College ThinkSpace – a dedicated team that works with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to provide innovative, high quality workspaces and relocation support.  The Hub will have an emphasis on linking research and commerce to benefit society and the economy. Businesses and other world-class universities will have the opportunity to drive innovation through co-location and collaboration.  The Hub will also provide high specification, multidisciplinary research space for 1,000 scientists and engineers.

Voreda has secured a £73 million development and investment facility from Santander Corporate Banking for the translation centre.  Imperial College London was awarded £35 million by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) towards the development of the adjacent research centre in November 2012.

Laing O’Rourke has been appointed by Voreda to act as its construction delivery partner on the development.  When it begins in September, construction will use Laing O’Rourke’s expertise in manufacturing components off-site to minimise disruption to the busy surrounding area.