Eli Lilly has shortlisted three preferred locations across central London as it prepares to return to the UK capital after 89 years.
Lilly UK, the firm’s UK arm, appointed CBRE on its search for workspace in the capital in October last year, as previously revealed by EG. It is seeking around 65,000 sq ft.
London’s Knowledge Quarter sites are among the top picks. The list includes Endurance Land’s Regent Quarter, according to market sources, which is located in the heart of King’s Cross, NW1. It comprises 260,000 sq ft of workspace across 12 office buildings and 20 retail and leisure facilities.
King’s Cross development Tribeca is also understood to be on the list. The scheme is being brought forward by BlackRock Alternatives’ real estate arm in joint venture with GIC, Reef and British Airways’ New Airways Pension Scheme. The building features 1m sq ft of laboratories and residential space across five buildings.
In addition, the Indiana-headquartered pharma giant has shortlisted Victoria House, measuring about 489,000 sq ft, in Bloomsbury Square, WC1. Oxford Properties and Pioneer Group have launched proposals to turn the former office building into laboratory-enabled workspace.
Lilly UK set up its first base outside of the US in London in 1934, at 2-4 Dean Street, W1. The company was based there for about six years until it relocated to Basingstoke. Today, 2-4 Dean Street and 7 Soho Square form a six-storey building opposite the entrance to the new Elizabeth Line station. Owner Hines is consulting on plans to redevelop the site, which has a Tesco supermarket, into offices and ground-floor retail.
All parties either declined to comment or had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
