By Paul Osborne

Construction work on the former Press and Broadcast Centres at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will commenc on October 22 ©Here EastConstruction work to transform the former Main Press and International Broadcast Centres at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, used during London 2012, is due to ommence on October 20, it has been claimed. 

Here East, the company chosen by the London Legacy Development Corporation to transform the site, has selected Laing O'Rourke to undertake the works as it presses ahead with plans to create a home for world-leading creative and digital companies in the heart of East London.

Since London 2012, large portions of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has been transformed, making it, it is claimed, more accessible and usable for the public and business alike, while also creating homes for many across the London area.

The Here East site is already being used by BT Sport to broadcast live Premier League action with other commercial space being made available for businesses to occupy.

"We are delighted to announce the start of construction works to develop this unique digital and creative cluster at Here East," said Gavin Poole, chief executive of Here East.

"It will deliver thousands of employment and training opportunities, starting with the construction phase through Laing O Rourke.

"We are excited that we are now entering the final phase of delivering this economic legacy to London and the UK."

The former Broadcast Centre will feature office and studio space and will undergo a phased delivery, with the complete space ready for occupation in early 2016 ©Hear EastThe former Broadcast Centre will feature office and studio space and will undergo a phased delivery, with the complete space ready for occupation in early 2016 ©Hear East



As part of the agreement with the Legacy Company and Here East, O'Rourke has committed to providing local employment and apprenticeships during the construction phase of the project with over 7,500 jobs, including 5,300 directly on-site and a further 2,200 in the local community through the impact of using local supply chains and new business generation, being created, according to Here East.

The company also reported that "at least 25 per cent of people working on the project live in the four neighbouring boroughs, with a new apprenticeship created for every 20 people employed."

"Here East is not only creating a world class digital and creative hub but will also deliver  immediate economic benefits for East London and the wider UK through the creation of skilled employment and training opportunities during the construction phase," said Laing O'Rourke chief executive Anna Stewart.

"Laing O'Rourke is incredibly proud to be returning to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to help bring about this vision."

The space provided will bring together global companies alongside East London's most innovative start-ups, with the former Main Press Centre set to be ready for occupation in early summer 2015

Loughborough University will also open its brand new London campus to its first intake of students in October 2015.

New images have been released depicting the latest plans for the buildings, including a unique structure on the east elevation, providing a platform for individual, creative studios housing start-ups and small businesses.

The former International Broadcast Centre will feature office and studio space, and will undergo a phased delivery, with the complete space ready for occupation in early 2016.

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December 2012: BT confirmed as tenant for London 2012 International Broadcast Centre