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There's a new museum of photography coming to Whitechapel next year

Renowned Swedish photography museum, Fotografiska, is bringing a new museum of photography to Whitechapel after agreeing terms at Derwent London’s The White Chapel Building.

In what will be their first gallery outside of Stockholm, the company will be launching Fotografiska - The London Museum of Photography after taking the the lower ground floors and the new office pavilion at the building which is currently undergoing refurbishment.

In total Fotografiska has agreed to take 89,000 sq ft on the development on a 15-year lease, representing the entire phase 2 of the project which is due to be completed in the second half of 2018.

Tommy Rönngren, Founding partner and Chairman of the Board of Fotografiska London, said that today’s announced brought to an end a long search for suitable space in the capital and hailed Whitechapel as one of London’s up and coming areas.

He commented: “Fotografiska has for a long time been searching for suitable facilities in London, one of the world’s most dynamic cities when it comes to photography.

“Whitechapel, which is one of London’s most dynamic areas, will be a perfect location. It will be really exciting to bring the concept of Fotografiska to London.”

Work has been progressing on the previously vacant White Chapel Building after Derwent London acquired it back in December 2015.

A nine-month phase 1 portion of the development, which is now fully let, saw the addition of 185,000 sq ft of above ground office space along with the creation of a new entrance, atrium and cafe and bar area.

Dubbed a ‘tech belt hub’ by the developers, the likes of Government Digital Service, Wilmington, Perkins+Will and Unruly amongst others have made the development their home in the East End of London.

John Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Derwent London, said: “We are very excited to welcome Fotografiska - The London Museum of Photography to The White Chapel Building.

“We believe their arrival will be a major benefit to the area and Fotografiska’s character endorses the Group’s focus on good design. This pre-let means that we will have successfully let the entire property.”

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