US drug giant said last week it will no longer move into building on Euston Road
Mace’s client on its scheme to build the shell and core of a life sciences building in King’s Cross has said it will complete as normal – but the fit out contract due to be carried out by Sisk is up in the air as its deal is with the end-user that said last week it would no longer be taking up space in the building.
The block had been due to be occupied by Merck but the US drug maker, which is known as MSD in Europe, said the UK was uncompetitive and paying too little for medicines – meaning it will now not move into it as planned.
The 10-storey block is being developed by Precis Group. It has been designed by architect AHMM and is being built on a former Access self-storage warehouse on the Euston Road.
Called Belgrove House, the £150m job topped out over the summer and is due to finish next year.
In a statement, Precis Advisory said: “As the landowner, Precis Advisory, working with architects AHMM and contractor Mace, remains fully committed to completing the construction of Belgrove House at King’s Cross in line with all our obligations and legal agreements.
“Belgrove House topped out in July 2025 and remains on track for completion of the shell and core in spring 2026, providing world-class facilities that reflect the ambition for this globally significant location.”
Sisk has signed a PCSA for the fit out contract, believed to be worth around £110m, but Building understands this part of the scheme is set to be stalled, given Sisk’s client is Merck.
Merck has taken a lease on the building and talks between Precis and Merck about what to do next are believed to be ongoing.
Precis has previously said laboratories make up around 40% of the building’s total floorspace with associated office, research and ‘write-up’ space at levels four to nine.
MSD and Sisk have been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, AstraZeneca said at the end of last week it has paused a planned £200m expansion of its Cambridge research site. It said the decision had been made in the wake of “reassessing” its investment plans.
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