VolkerFitzpatrick Completes Construction of The Apex, part of London’s Largest Purpose-built Life Sciences Campus
VolkerFitzpatrick is proud to announce the completion of The Apex building, the first laboratory building at TRIBECA, London’s largest purpose-built life science campus, situated in the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter. The Apex is the first phase of the development and comprises over 110,000 sq ft of flexible space for state-of-the-art laboratories, office and leisure facilities.
The six-storey Apex building, constructed by VolkerFitzpatrick on behalf of Reef Group, is the first of five buildings to form TRIBECA, which will provide around 1 million sq ft of space in the heart of London’s bioscience cluster, next to the Regent’s Canal.
The Apex has been designed to facilitate cutting edge science and collaboration. The first occupiers of the completed building include the London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC), which has leased 39,000 sq ft to provide scale-up lab facilities for bioscience research.
The Francis Crick Institute is also supporting 52,000 sq ft of space and will offer expertly managed state-of-the-art labs, enabling innovative companies to benefit from the world class Crick expertise, and collaborate with scientists and experts from one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutes.
Challenging location
Situated in the Kings Cross area of London beside Regent’s Canal, The Apex was built in a logistically challenging location, sitting just inches from a neighbouring building and placed above a Victorian sewer, which required specialist protection. The project team’s precision and expertise were vital, ensuring meticulous planning and execution to safeguard surrounding structures while delivering this landmark project.
Sustainability throughout
Sustainability was also a core priority for the project. Among the standout features was the use of 13,000 earth blocks, made from subsoil excavated directly from the site, to construct the basement perimeter walls. This method resulted in an 84% reduction in carbon emissions and saved 93 cubic metres of waste compared to traditional materials.
Additionally, low-carbon concrete was used for the reinforced concrete frame which includes post-tensioned slabs to maximise floor-to-ceiling heights. On top of this, a blue roof water management system was incorporated, designed to manage rainwater runoff and alleviate the risk of urban flooding.
The building achieved BREEAM Outstanding status. This award is the highest sustainability accolade, reflecting The Apex’s significant contribution to reducing whole-life carbon emissions by 56% and creating an environmentally responsible facility that integrates energy efficiency, waste reduction, and climate-resilient features.
“The completion of The Apex is a testament to VolkerFitzpatrick’s dedication to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility. As part of London's largest purpose-built life sciences development, this project not only sets a new standard for sustainable urban development but also reflects our commitment in helping to advance London's status as a global hub for life sciences. By combining cutting-edge construction techniques with a focus on community engagement, we’re creating spaces that benefit both people and the environment for years to come.”
Stuart Deverill Managing Director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Building Division
“Completing the Apex is an exciting step forward for the TRIBECA development, which will provide purpose-built lab spaces in the heart of London and in close proximity to other leading science companies and institutions, which create a best-in-class environment for businesses to start, scale and stay.”
Peter Langly-Smith Managing Director at Reef Group
Designed by architects Bennetts Associates, The Apex has a ground floor café fronting Regent’s Canal and has a generous double height entrance on St Pancras Way. The building offers the ability to provide laboratory support services to all occupiers in the building, as well as an extensive roof terrace on the upper floors.
VolkerFitzpatrick has placed a strong emphasis on community engagement throughout the project. As well as providing opportunities for apprentices and graduates, The Apex was home to the CIOB Bright Futures student challenge two years in a row, which brought together students from regional universities to explore the world of construction and engineering. VolkerFitzpatrick also partnered with local charities to engage young people in conversations about careers in the built environment.
