Ellison Institute of Technology, named after Larry Ellison, planning Fosters-designed head office in St James’ Square
Major contractors eyeing a high-profile scheme to build a new London headquarters for the company behind a huge cancer research facility in Oxford being are expecting to be told who has won the job by the end of the year.
Multi-disciplinary science institute the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), which was set up by US billionaire Larry Ellison, is helping to mastermind a £300m cancer research facility in the university city that has been designed by Fosters and is being built by Laing O’Rourke.
The scheme, called the Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, consists of a complex of buildings spread across two sites and linked by a 250m-long elevated timber walkway.
The EIT, which uses research and commercial capability to achieve scientific breakthroughs, has bought a building in St James’ Square in the upmarket Piccadilly area of the capital which is set to be its base in London.
Its plan is to refurbish the office under a proposal drawn up by Foster & Partners with consultant Ridge also confirmed for the work.
Building understands several firms including McLaren and Multiplex are thought to be looking at the job while Sir Robert McAlpine is also thought to be interested.
One source said the final value was still being discussed and added: “It will be an exceptional building, very high spec.”
In a statement, the EIT said: “We intend to finish our tender process by the end of the year. We have started the planning process with Westminster [council] and hope to have a better understanding of our project timeline next year.”
No price tag has been put on the work but Ellison, who is co-founder of the US tech giant Oracle Corporation, is the world’s third wealthiest person, according to Bloomberg, with a net worth of $253bn (£193bn).
No comments yet