Facebook’s expansion plans at King’s Cross, N1, will see the tech giant occupy a new mixed-use scheme on a site that was formerly proposed for a cultural centre by the Aga Khan Development Network.
The site, named P2, is to be transferred to the Kings Cross Central Partnership, which will build the new offices.
Facebook is in advanced discussions to occupy four buildings totalling more than 500,000 sq ft at the development. It is also slated to occupy buildings known as T2, T3 and T4.
Designed by Bennetts Associates, T2 and T3 have planning approval for 405,000 sq ft of space across the two buildings, which rise to up to 12 storeys.
A spokesperson from Argent confirmed the site of the proposed cultural building had been transferred and that a reserved matters planning application is expected to be submitted for a mixed-use building designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.
The new building will include nine floors of office space, a theatre and ground-floor retail.
AKDN was to create a new cultural centre designed by Japanese architect Maki & Associates on P2, which would have been its third building at King’s Cross.
A spokesperson for AKDN said: “P2 was previously to be developed by the Aga Khan Development Network.
“The AKDN will open the Aga Khan Centre – an academic building – on Handyside Street, near the P2 plot, next month.”
Its other developments include a student accommodation block and an academic building designed by Maki & Associates, which will become home to several institutions, including the Aga Khan University, The Institute of Ismaili Studies and the Aga Khan Foundation (UK) this summer.
The site of T4 backs onto AKDN’s new academic building.
AKDN is made up of a collection of development agencies, institutions and programmes that work under the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world’s 15m Ismaili Muslims.
The current Aga Khan is prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, who founded and is chairman of the AKDN.
A spokesperson for Facebook said: “We are always looking at opportunities to expand our base here in the UK and abroad, but have no specific plans currently.”
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