Construction has started on the first office building at Brent Cross Town, the 180-acre, £8bn mixed use park town development in North London which is being delivered by Related Argent in partnership with Barnet Council.
The building, 3 Copper Square, designed by architects, shedkm, will provide 239,000 sq ft of office space over 14 floors plus flexible retail space at ground level. It forms the cornerstone of a new business and innovation district that will extend to 3m sq ft and create workspace for up to 25,000 people – alongside the 6,700 new homes, student housing, homes for later living, a new high street, three schools and 50 acres of parks and playing fields that together make up the park town.
Start on site at 3 Copper Square follows the appointment of BAM as the main contractor. Sheffield Hallam University is setting up its first university campus outside Yorkshire at Brent Cross Town and will be the anchor tenant. The University will occupy around 110,000 sq ft across the lower six floors of the building. Sheffield Hallam has award-winning teaching, learning and research capabilities alongside an outstanding student offer. The University’s London campus will provide tailored support to help businesses to innovate, with access to sector expertise from academics and highly skilled graduates. It will also act as a conduit to strengthen links between South Yorkshire and London, creating new opportunities. 3 Copper Square is scheduled to open in Q3 2026.
Brent Cross Town already boasts its first permanent public park, Claremont Park; Europe’s first indoor baseball and softball venue, The 108; and a growing food and beverage offer that includes local independents, Cricklewood Coffee Roasters, Spruce & Larch, Karma Bread, Happy Face Pizza and Gussy’s Ice Cream Parlour. By the time 3 Copper Square opens, this F&B offer will have expanded to include healthy grab-and-go options at the foot of the building as well as a bar and brewery, all day dining offer and grocery store – all located in Neighbourhood Square, which is five minutes’ walk along the new high street. Close to 1,000 households will also be living in Brent Cross Town by this time and Neighbourhood Square will form the lively, fun and sociable heart of the Town where people come together.
Matt Flood, Head of Commercial Development at Related Argent, said: “The start of construction at 3 Copper Square marks a massive step forward in creating a new business and innovation district at Brent Cross Town. Brent Cross Town is an extraordinary opportunity to deliver a new neighbourhood founded on health and sustainability, where businesses can flourish. This inspiring new hybrid timber and concrete-framed building will provide expansive workspaces that energise and connect. With access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities, a vibrant new High Street and engaging public realm, Brent Cross Town is where talent will choose to be.”
Luke Desforges, Academic Director for Sheffield Hallam University in London, said: “We’re excited that construction has begun on the home for our new campus, where we will be the anchor tenant. Due to open for September 2026, it will provide an outstanding and dynamic learning environment, boasting modern facilities, where students will learn from academic experts to gain the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”
Funding for the building is provided through the Related Argent and Barnet Council partnership, in addition to NatWest providing a £62.7m Green Loan. A Green Loan is lending which is dedicated to sustainable projects that demonstrate strong environmental performance. As part of the park town, 3 Copper Square is targeting EPC A and BREEAM Outstanding. Landlord areas will be supplied with 100% renewable electricity through a bespoke power purchase agreement. Low carbon heating and cooling will be provided via one of Europe’s largest electric district energy networks, developed in partnership with Vattenfall.
3 Copper Square boasts exceptional transport connectivity, located immediately beside the new Brent Cross West mainline station, which opened to passengers in December 2023 and connects with St Pancras International in central London in as little as 12 minutes.
The building is an innovative hybrid cross-laminated timber and concrete structure with exposed timber soffits that soften the lighting and acoustics and connect the working environment to nature to provide inspiring, creative, flexible and collaborative workspaces. An expansive double height reception offers easy access from the station entrance and a striking penthouse with a double height vaulted roof provides views across North and Central London. The top of the building includes a range of private and communal terraces.
The start of construction continues the strong progress being made at Brent Cross Town. Seven buildings are now underway, with the first residents moving into the town later this year. In total, over 930 homes, including affordable, market sale, and Build-to-Rent homes are on-site, along with 662 student rooms in partnership with Fusion Students.
Mark Pope, NatWest Relationship Director, said: “NatWest is proud to be the first major lender to support Brent Cross Town to build a thriving, sustainable business district in the heart of London, building on our long-standing relationship with Related Argent and previous support across the wider scheme. The town, which aims to be fully net zero by 2030, will be supported towards that objective by NatWest’s £62.7 million green loan, which is lending dedicated to sustainable projects. This facility demonstrates the bank’s firm commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the green finance market and marks a major milestone in our ongoing support to the development.”
Rod Stiles, London Director at BAM, said: “We’re excited to begin another chapter in our 30 year-long partnership of working with Related Argent and continuing to build on our previous successes of delivering transformative projects. 3 Copper Square aligns perfectly with our own values of building a sustainable tomorrow and leaving a positive impact on the communities where we build and we look forward to delivering this thriving new neighbourhood with our partners.”
Knight Frank and Cushman & Wakefield are appointed as leasing agents.