Imperial celebrates topping out at new White City hub

Imperial marked the completion of structural building work for its Molecular Science Research Hub and Translation & Innovation Hub on 28 January.

The two interconnected hubs form one of the first major parts of the innovation ecosystem for the College’s new White City Campus, which is set to co-locate research, business and healthcare on a scale unprecedented in London.

Professor David Gann lays the final cement in the constuction of the Translation and Innovation Hub

The Translation & Innovation Hub will house co-located laboratories with major corporate partners, new start-ups and fast-growth technology companies. Scheduled to open in summer 2016, it forms part of a larger innovation ecosystem, managed by Imperial College ThinkSpace, which provides high-spec laboratory and office workspaces to companies at every stage of their growth.

Due for completion in 2017, the Molecular Science Research Hub will be a state-of-the-art science building housing research from Imperial’s Department of Chemistry to seed a new molecular sciences neighbourhood, connecting with work in synthetic biology, data sciences, digital and health.

Imperial has partnered with investment firm Voreda to build the Hub, in collaboration with construction experts Laing O’Rourke.

Professor David Gann CBE, Vice President (Development & Innovation) at Imperial College London, said: “Imperial is helping to make White City thrive. We are proud to be at the heart of the area’s exciting new developments. Imperial is generating thousands of new jobs, driving growth and building a community of innovators, creating new opportunities at scale. We will ensure that these benefits are felt by the whole community from new employment and outreach work with schools to hackspaces and entrepreneurship hubs, linking local activity with global opportunity.” 

Dr Eulian Roberts, Chief Executive of Imperial College ThinkSpace, said: “This is a significant milestone in our ambitious vision for Imperial’s White City Campus. The Translation & Innovation hub will provide us with the environment to drive innovation and growth on an unprecedented scale - enabling the co-location of companies, corporations and institutions with world class research and healthcare innovation. I look forward to welcoming colleagues and partners to the facility”