LONDON.- The British Library has selected a consortium led by property developer Stanhope, working with architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, as preferred partner for a project to develop a 2.8 acre site to the north of its Grade I Listed building at St Pancras in London as a major new centre for commerce, knowledge and research.

At the heart of the development will be 100,000 sq ft of new British Library spaces for learning, exhibitions and public use, including a new northern entrance and a bespoke headquarters for the Alan Turing Institute, the national centre for data science research.

The development will also include new commercial space for organisations and companies that wish to be located at the heart of London's Knowledge Quarter, close to the Francis Crick Institute and the other knowledge-based companies, research organisations, amenities and transport links located at King’s Cross and St Pancras.

The Stanhope consortium was appointed following a Competitive Dialogue procurement process that began in late 2015.

Stanhope have 30 years’ experience of developing complex central London projects, including Broadgate, Paternoster Square and the Tate Modern Switch House building. Stanhope are backed by strong financial partners and current projects include the regeneration of Television Centre, White City. Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners are well-known for buildings such as the Grade I Listed Lloyds Building and the recent British Museum extension.

The development project is a key part of the British Library's Living Knowledge vision to become ever more open, creative and innovative in the delivery of its purposes. The objectives of this development include:

• More exhibition spaces, increasing public access to the Library's vast world-class collections;

• New facilities for learners of all ages, with expanded programmes for schools, colleges, families, adult learners and local communities;

• Improved public areas and accessibility, with more places to sit and study;

• An enhanced offering for business users, building on the success of the Library's Business & IP Centre;

• A new northern entrance close to the Francis Crick Institute and the main St Pancras Station concourse.

• A permanent home for the Alan Turing Institute, the UK national centre for data science;

• Flexible accommodation for third-party companies, institutions and research organisations seeking to work at the heart of the Knowledge Quarter;

• Environmental improvements including enhanced East-West connectivity for local people walking between Somers Town and St Pancras.