Universal Music has confirmed it will bring its entire 1,000-plus London workforce under one roof when it moves to its new King’s Cross headquarters next summer.
Universal’s Music’s current UK HQ in Kensington
The world’s leading music company — home to artists such as James Bay, Ellie Goulding, Mumford & Sons, The Rolling Stones, Sam Smith, Take That, U2, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Eminem — has signed a pre-let agreement for the entire office space at Four Pancras Square.
Currently based on Kensington High Street, Universal Music will share the 177,000 sq ft office building with staff from its sister companies, Universal Music Publishing and See Tickets. Advised by CBRE, the conglomerate has said it hopes to have the relocations completed within months of Four Pancras Square’s summer 2017 completion.
Its new UK headquarters, designed by Eric Parry Architects, was granted reserved matters planning consent in January this year. In addition to the ten storeys of office space, the building, which sits prominently at the head of the square, features a spectacular roof-top garden, balconies at all levels and a 10,000 sq ft destination restaurant on the ground and lower ground floors.
“King’s Cross is fast emerging as a creative hub for London,” commented David Joseph, chairman and chief executive of Universal Music UK. “It’s going to be an energising place to work and feels like a natural home for Universal Music with many opportunities for collaboration and inspiration literally on our doorstep.”
Universal Music will have global media firm Havas next door in Three Pancras Square and Google, Louis Vuitton and PRS for Music as its near-neighbours around the square.
Nick Searl, a partner at Argent which is developing the building on behalf of the King’s Cross Partnership, said he was immensely pleased to be welcoming such a prestigious and globally respected tenant to King’s Cross.
“Universal Music’s decision to relocate here is testament to the dynamic and creative environment that has been created and the area’s broad appeal to businesses across a variety of sectors,” he added.
“By mid- 2017 we expect to have over 12,000 people working at King’s Cross, confirming its reputation as London’s new office destination and leading the way in workplace design and performance.”
Pancras Square is now fully let. Across the whole development, however, approximately 800,000 sq ft of the three-million square feet of office space remains available.
The next building to be started — codenamed “R7” — houses 150,000 sq ft of office space and is slated for a late 2017 handover. Situated immediately adjacent to Central Saint Martins, the building has already attracted an array of medium and smaller sized businesses.
