The Olympic Park Legacy Company today formally called for companies to bid to become part of a vibrant new commercial district in London’s most exciting development.

The Press Centre and the Broadcast Centre offer around one million sq ft of flexible business space and will sit within the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, surrounded by world-class sporting venues, breathtaking parkland and a host of events and attractions.

Interested parties, from start-ups to established global companies, have nine weeks to submit their proposals and take advantage of London’s expansion eastwards as the area becomes a destination for business, leisure and work.

The Press Centre and Broadcast Centre will be adjacent to the creative district of Hackney Wick and within the newly named East Wick area, near a stunning green river valley and a plaza with space for events and art installations.

Andrew Altman, Chief Executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, said:

“The Press and Broadcast Centres have already generated a huge amount of commercial interest and we are excited to see what bids come forward.

“Now is the time for businesses to take up this unique offer and become part of what will be a thriving centre for enterprise and innovation in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s first commercial space.”

Jules Pipe, elected Mayor of Hackney, said:

“The Press and Broadcast Centres offer an unprecedented opportunity to create a new employment hub in Hackney Wick. They will have world-class communications infrastructure and will be served by excellent new transport links.

“It has been our vision for some time to see the site used for the expansion of the creative and digital industries which are already thriving in Hackney, and we are pleased that there has already been significant interest from these sectors. We will continue to work with our partners to secure this employment legacy for our residents and for East London.”

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said:

“This is an excellent opportunity for businesses of all sizes to be part of the foundations of this new commercial district. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will grow steadily over the coming years becoming a key part of London’s living and working life. This is a chance to grab a strategic advantage by being there from the start.”

Minister for Olympic Legacy, Bob Neill, said:

“The Olympic Press and Broadcast Centres offer a unique opportunity for businesses to become a major part of London’s Olympic legacy. Companies based in these facilities will be at the forefront of east London’s expanding business landscape, helping to establish a vibrant new community within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and leading growth in one of the most exciting locations in the capital.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“Thousands of media from across the world will use these fantastic facilities during the Games, but once the sporting action has ended, these centres will become the heart of a new creative high-tech quarter for our capital.

“The unrivalled location combines the innovative and creative energy for which east London is already famous, with the world-beating profile and setting of the Olympic Park. This is a unique opportunity for any company that wants to be part of something special.”

     
The Broadcast Centre will offer 95,000 sq ft of office space over five floors and 575,000 sq ft of commercial space over two floors. It has the flexibility to be reconfigured into four separate buildings.

The five storey Press Centre will provide around 317,000 sq ft of prime office space with the potential for retail uses on the ground floor.

They are a fundamental part of the Legacy Company’s vision to create a mixed-use commercial district that will generate employment at a range of levels covering a broad spectrum of skills and opportunities for local businesses.

Five major universities are within five miles of the Park providing access to more than 83,000 students and the skilled workforce that they offer.

The area builds on the Government’s promise of an East London Tech City, extending a belt of innovative businesses from Shoreditch to Old Street, through the City and the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Following the end of the bidding process on 2nd December 2011, the Legacy Company will review submissions before shortlisting potential occupiers in February 2012. The buildings will be available for fit-out and opening from spring 2013.    

Last year, the Legacy Company ran a market testing process into the future uses of the Press and Broadcast Centres which generated 45 expressions of interest across a wide range of sectors, including creative, media, retail, cultural, construction, education, public, real estate, entertainment and leisure.