The building, 3 Copper Square, designed by shedkm architects, 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 6700 new homes, student housing, homes for later living, a new high street, three schools, and 50 acres of parks and playing fields.

Sheffield Hallam University is setting up its first university campus outside Yorkshire at Brent Cross Town and will be the anchor tenant, occupying about 110,000 sq ft across the lower six floors of the building. The University’s London campus will provide tailored support to help businesses innovate, with access to sector expertise from academics and highly skilled graduates. It will also serve to strengthen links between South Yorkshire and London. 

Rod Stiles, London region director, BAM, hailed the project as aligning well with its own values of “building a sustainable tomorrow and leaving a positive impact on the communities where we build”.

The building is described as 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, while a penthouse with a double-height vaulted roof provides views across North and Central London. The top of the building includes private and communal terraces.

“Brent Cross Town is an extraordinary opportunity to deliver a new neighbourhood founded on health and sustainability, where businesses can flourish,” said Matt Flood, head of commercial development at Related Argent. “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, added: “We’re excited that construction has begun on the home for our new campus, where we’ll 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 dedicated to sustainable projects that demonstrate strong environmental performance. As part of the net-zero park town, 3 Brent Cross Town is targeting EPC A and BREEAM Outstanding. Landlord areas will be supplied with 100-per-cent 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.

The building also benefits from good transport connectivity, located immediately beside the new Brent Cross West mainline station. Opening to passengers in December 2023, the station connects with St Pancras International in central London with journey times as little as 12 minutes.

The building is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2026. Knight Frank and Cushman & Wakefield have been appointed as leasing agents.