Powering next-generation data infrastructure in the heart of London

THE ASPIRATION
Building bold in a complex city site 

Ark Data Centres needed a high-performance campus in central London to meet growing demand for sustainable, scalable digital infrastructure. The brownfield site—a former British Airways warehouse—posed challenges, bordered by the Grand Union Canal and a main rail line, requiring demolition, remediation and coordination with existing services. The project aimed to pioneer large-scale modular prefabrication and direct air optimiser cooling, delivering phased buildings and major power infrastructure within tight constraints. 

OUR RESPONSE
Driving modular innovation with hands-on delivery 

We were appointed to deliver Project Management, Cost Management and CDM Principal Designer services for one of the campus buildings, supporting the full project lifecycle. We established a phased cost plan, managed design development, oversaw procurement and administered multiple NEC4 contracts. 

We led the successful planning process and supported on-site delivery—including demolition, fit out and stakeholder coordination. Our team managed the provision of a 150MVA power supply via a new on-site substation and off-site works at a National Grid facility, as well as ongoing tenant engagement and programme oversight. 

Our cost modelling enabled the use of modern methods of construction, helping the client evaluate modular build strategies and proving—via detailed cost-benefit analysis—that off-site premiums were offset by time savings, enabling tenant operations up to six months earlier. We also delivered 15% in value engineering on the electrical package and undertook studies into exporting spare power capacity back to the grid. 

Daily client support and formal weekly/monthly reporting helped manage a diverse stakeholder group, including Network Rail, Canals and River Trust, National Grid and London Borough of Hillingdon. 

THE RESULT
Early delivery through smarter construction 

Building 1 completed in 2024 and Building 2 due to be finished in Q2 2026. Our on-site presence and proactive management continue to support programme certainty, stakeholder coordination and early tenant handover.

THE LASTING IMPACT
Boosting digital capacity in the capital 

Once complete, Ark Project Union will significantly increase London’s digital resilience—delivering next-generation data capacity and setting new benchmarks in modular delivery for complex urban sites. 

Find out more about our multidisciplinary approach.