The British Library, the largest in the UK, is set for a major transformation with a £1.1 billion expansion project now approved.
Located next to St. Pancras station in central London, the library already holds over 170 million items—including books, manuscripts, maps, and music scores—within its iconic 14-floor building, originally designed by Sir Colin St. John Wilson and opened in 1998.
The upcoming development, in partnership with SMBL (a UK arm of global real estate firm Mitsui Fudosan) and Stanhope PLC, aims to create new public areas and significantly expand space for science, innovation, and knowledge industries. The extension will include state-of-the-art exhibition galleries, event venues, and additional facilities for learning, business, and research.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. The plan also includes infrastructure for the future Crossrail 2 project, linking Euston and St Pancras stations and establishing the area as the UK’s most important transport interchange.
Around 55,800 square metres of new commercial space will help fund the development and generate job opportunities for the local community.
Culture, Science and Technology Minister Sir Chris Bryant praised the project, calling it “an ambitious transformation” that will “showcase our national story and history” while bolstering the UK’s science and innovation sectors.
Rebecca Lawrence, Chief Executive of the British Library, added: “I am delighted to announce this significant milestone in our bold ambition to transform the British Library.” Photo by Christine Matthews, Wikimedia commons.