Case Study
Francis Crick Institute
Iconic UK development at the forefront of the life sciences sector.
January 23, 2026
CBRE’s Development Management team led the delivery of the Francis Crick Institute – an iconic UK development at the forefront of the life sciences sector. Situated on a high-profile 3.6-acre site in Kings Cross, London, the project involved a highly specified building with complex technical servicing requirements, designed to support world-class scientific research.
Delivered over five years, the scheme exemplifies CBRE’s ability to balance stakeholder vision, scientific functionality, and buildability to create a high-performing collaborative space. Our team secured planning consent, discharged conditions, and managed a two-stage procurement process for a tier-one contractor, while overseeing the full project lifecycle from site negotiations and completion to strategic communications and stakeholder engagement.
Our Planning team played a pivotal role, having long led the provision of life sciences floorspace in the UK. Securing permission for The Crick proved to be a catalyst for the growth of life sciences in London and the regeneration of this part of LB Camden. The Council responded by developing the Knowledge Quarter strategy, aligning the ambitions of life sciences organisations and public sector research institutions with local community priorities
The Crick represents one of the best examples of CBRE bringing together a particularly wide range of services to deliver an exceptional development.
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