UK London Ellison Institute of Technology's £120 Million Headquarters Plan Approved

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Westminster Council has unanimously approved Foster + Partners' proposal to refurbish a protected terrace of houses on St James's Square in London for use as the headquarters of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT). Founded by Larry Ellison, former CEO of Oracle Corporation and the world's sixth-richest person, EIT describes itself as a multidisciplinary scientific research institute.

The institute is building a £300 million research facility in Oxford, also designed by Foster + Partners, with the first phase being delivered by Laing O'Rourke.

The London headquarters project, located at 11-12 St James's Square, involves two Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings and will rebuild a rear extension constructed in 1990. Works include refurbishing the existing historic buildings, demolishing the rear extension, and adding lifts, showers, cycle parking, glazed screens, and terraces, while restoring a historic garden at ground level.

The works are being carried out by Sir Robert McAlpine, which won the contract earlier this year after beating Multiplex in the bidding process. The project is valued at approximately £120 million and is said to be of an extremely high specification; Mace and McLaren also examined the project.

Other firms involved include development manager Edit, planning consultant Avison Young, heritage consultant Donald Insall Associates, and project manager Ridge. The proposal was submitted to Westminster Council in January.

According to Bloomberg data, Ellison's net worth is $198 billion (approximately £145 billion), and he remains the largest shareholder of Oracle Corporation.