Ellison Institute of Technology, named after Larry Ellison, planning Fosters-designed head office in St James’s Square

A favourite for a high-profile scheme to build a new London headquarters for the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) has now emerged.

Building understands Sir Robert McAlpine has edged ahead of Multiplex for the job at 11-12 St James’s Square in the upmarket Piccadilly area of the capital.

The multi-disciplinary science institute, set up by US billionaire Larry Ellison, is helping mastermind a £300m science research facility in Oxford that has been designed by Fosters with the first phase being built by Laing O’Rourke.

larry

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Larry Ellison has a net worth of $250bn, according to Bloomberg

EIT’s plan is to refurbish the office at St James’s under a proposal drawn up by Foster & Partners with consultant Ridge also confirmed for the work.

The job is understood to have a price tag of around £120m. A pitch from McLaren failed to make the cut while Mace also looked at the job.

The scheme has been described as “very high spec” with formal confirmation of a winner due later this month.

The EIT has previously said: “We intend to finish our tender process by the end of [2025]. We have started the planning process with Westminster [council] and hope to have a better understanding of our project timeline [in 2026].”

According to a previous application for the site for client Knightlights Property International, drawn up by Piercy & Co, the site consists of a grade II and grade II* listed buildings as well as an extension to the rear that was completed in 1990.

The application was withdrawn last year with firms working on this scheme including RLB as cost consultant, heritage consultant Purcell and M&E consultant Cundall.

Ellison, who is co-founder of the US tech giant Oracle Corporation, is the world’s fifth wealthiest person, according to Bloomberg, with a net worth of $250bn (£186bn).

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