Sheffield Hallam University has struck a deal with developer Argent Relate to take the first commercial building at Brent Cross Town, which recently obtained full planning approval.

It will take half the space in the planned 240,000 sq ft building, which will be built with a low-carbon hybrid timber and concrete structure.

The first part of the campus is scheduled to open from 2025/26. Ultimately Hallam plans further expansion with a target of expanding to cater for up to 5,000 students by 2030.

Related Argent and Barnet Council are brining forward Brent Cross Town’s 3m sq ft commercial district of academic organisations, major corporations, global innovators, start-ups and scale-ups.

The deal advances the seventh major building in the first phase of the Brent Cross Town Development.

Just last month Invesco Real Estate, acting on behalf of a US separate account client, struck a £600m development deal for four buildings, totalling 800 sale and build to rent homes overlooking the recently opened Claremont Park.

Meanwhile last week student accommodation, Fusion Students, agreed a £72m contract with Henry Construction to build 662 student rooms in a dedicated new building.

This significant momentum also includes the forthcoming Brent Cross West station and several new public squares.

The completed Brent Cross Town development will become one of the largest net zero developments in the UK, featuring 50-acres of parks and playing fields, 6,700 new homes and 3 million sq ft of offices along with retail, leisure and schools.

Nick Searl, Partner at Related Argent, said:“We are delighted to be welcoming Sheffield Hallam University to Brent Cross Town.

“The University’s commitment is a milestone in the broader evolution of the development, which is gaining significant momentum and attracting an ever-widening group of partners who believe in what we are doing and want to be part of that journey.”