22 Mar 2026
Construction Update: on track to open in June
We’re excited to share the latest progress at 1 Portal Way, as we move through the final stages of construction ahead of our June 2026 opening. With the building now nearing completion, the transformation is becoming clearer every week.
A Fresh New Exterior
Our façade is undergoing an exciting artistic transformation. In collaboration with North Acton’s Artist in Residence, David Samuel, and the Rarekind Studio team, the exterior is being reinvented with a bold black backdrop layered with molecular patterns and connecting streaks of colour: a visual expression of creativity, science and community coming together.
Entrance Building Taking Shape
With the entrance building now watertight, we’ve opened up the internal structure and begun forming the arrival sequence.
The café and event space — open to the whole community — already feels like it will become a lively social hub. We will soon announce who we are partnering with to manage our exciting café!
Interior Finishes Underway
This month marks the start of the “good bits”:
Glazed internal screens are being installed to draw natural light deep into the building.
Oak internal doors have arrived and are being fitted.
Refurbishment and reglazing of original windows are close to completion.
Event Spaces & Meeting Rooms available to book from June
We are already seeing strong interest in our soon‑to‑launch event and meeting spaces. Designed to support everything from workshops and board meetings to community events, founder gatherings and product demos, these rooms will become an important part of the innovation ecosystem we are building.
The main event space will host up to 80 people, complemented by a range of meeting rooms ideal for team sessions, investor presentations or collaboration days. With natural light, modern AV and direct access to the café and terrace, these areas have been crafted with flexible, future‑facing teams in mind.
If you're exploring options for events, offsites or regular meeting space, you can preview them here:
👉 View event & meeting room details
👉 See full building specifications & availability
Innovation in... every wall
Following our January trial of sustainable construction technologies, we’re proud to have fully integrated BioTwin hemp‑based wall studs into the project, having met them via the Imperial Undaunted Accelerator. This net‑zero, bio‑based material replaces traditional metal studs in selected partitions — a small but meaningful shift in reducing embodied carbon and showcasing the type of innovation we want our building to represent.
A Garden for work+ breaks
Our new landscape design has now been signed off.
The south‑facing garden terrace — wrapped in mature yew hedging — will offer:
Space for outdoor events — think summer BBQs..
Member‑only space for a relaxed coffee
A canopy‑covered zone perfect for meetings in warmer months
Private terraces are rare in commercial office buildings; this will become one of the most unique and cherished features here.
Getting ready for first arrivals
We’ve begun working with our first incoming tenants, shaping their spaces around their specific scientific and operational needs. With the building moving into its final phase of delivery, everything remains firmly on track for welcoming teams this summer.
We will soon be announcing our first tenants — so watch this space.
Are you looking?
Are you searching for cost‑effective labs, flexible office space or an exciting event space in a well‑connected London location?
Join us for a #TuesdayTour to experience the labs, the event spaces, the garden and the community that’s forming here.
👉 Book your tour — we’d love to show you around
👋See you next month for the next update