London heritage building to convert to life sciences hub

Wates has begun work to convert the Grade-II listed Victoria House in central London into a 27,800m state-of-the-art life sciences hub.

Working on behalf of Oxford Properties Group and Pioneer Group, work on the project in Bloomsbury Square is due to complete by the end of the year.

The property will feature 7,400m² of office, amenity, meeting and retail spaces to provide an exceptional employee experience for end users, highlighted by heritage meeting rooms, an eighth-floor club lounge and a roof terrace overlooking central London.

In the conversion, the main fabric of the building, including its heritage art-deco finishes and features will be retained, along with the existing original windows.

The cutting-edge development will have customer wellbeing and sustainability at its core, with the project on track to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

Robin Everall, Head of Development, Europe, at Oxford Properties, said: “The conversion of Victoria House into a cutting-edge life sciences hub is a testament to Wates’ commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable spaces.

“We are proud to play a key role in transforming this Grade-II listed landmark into a state-of-the-art facility at the heart of London, whilst preserving and celebrating the unique heritage features it has to offer.”