iCITY Given Preferred Bidder Status for London 2012 Media Centre

The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) has agreed to award iCITY sole preferred bidder status to become the long-term tenant of the Press and Broadcast Centres.

iCITY will now have an opportunity over several months to submit credible business plans to show it can deliver the Legacy Corporation’s aspirations for the Press and Broadcast Centre site.

iCITY aims to create a leading centre for technology, doctor design and research with the potential to generate more than 4,000 jobs. The digital hub would harness innovation and creativity in east London. The iCITY vision also has a community focus including a conference centre and a pedestrian square for broadcasting major sporting events, along with cafes, restaurants and bars.

The Legacy Corporation has set iCITY tough but achievable requirements that must be met before any agreement for lease is formally signed.

Gavin Poole, Chief Executive Officer of iCITY, said: “We are delighted that iCITY has been selected as Sole Preferred Bidder for the legacy use of the Press and Broadcast Centres on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This is a unique opportunity to cement Britain’s position as a global leader in innovation and the creative industries.

“iCITY will provide a sustainable legacy for the local community through the creation of thousands of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities. The incredible track record of start-ups and entrepreneurs in east London is growing at an impressive rate, and this is a chance to provide additional connectivity, capacity, investment and highly advanced infrastructure. I am hugely excited that work can now begin on turning that vision into a reality.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “London couldn’t be in a better position to stage the best Games ever with everything ready to go and our legacy plans in great shape. With the future for six out of the eight Olympic Park facilities are already secured, it is now particularly encouraging to see on top of that a substantial bid for the Press and Broadcast Centres that we hope will act as a spring board for major job creation and new opportunities for local people.”

The Press and Broadcast Centres will house 20,000 journalists during the Games. Afterwards, 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. 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.