The Whitechapel Road Development is a life sciences masterplan of c. 880,000 sq ft on a highly complex site within and adjacent to Conservation Areas and heritage assets, as well as one of the UK’s largest trauma centres.

The scheme comprises five plots adjacent to the Royal London Hospital (RLH) in Whitechapel and involves the design and development of new, highly technical buildings, the refurbishment and extension of existing buildings, and the creation of new areas of public realm. The flexible design accommodates a range of life science, ancillary and supporting uses, with provision for Cat 2 wet labs in several of the new buildings.

A feasibility study was conducted in tandem for the potential provision of a temporary innovation centre comprising Cat 2 laboratory facilities for start-ups using design for manufacture and assembly principles.

Acting as Development Manager, M3 established a strategy for the redevelopment and disposal of the site and assembled and led the client and specialised design team from feasibility studies through design to the submission of a major planning application. M3 managed the marketing and disposal process for the site, including early plot disposal to Queen Mary University in November 2021.