McLaren Technology Centre

The building is accompanied by a series of artificial lakes: one formal lake directly opposite that completes the circle of the building, and a further four 'ecology' lakes. Together they contain about 50,000 m³ of water. This water is pumped through a series of heat exchangers to cool the building and to dissipate the heat produced by the wind tunnels. The main working space of the building is split into 18 metre wide sections known as 'fingers' that are separated by corridors known as 'streets'. Facilities for employees include a 700-seat restaurant, a juice and coffee bar, a swimming pool and a fitness centre. An underground Visitor and Learning Centre is connected to the main building by a walkway. A , rectangular-circuit shaped wind tunnel is located at one end of the building. Team McLaren uses it for testing and development of aerodynamic parts, as well as testing aerodynamic set-ups. The tunnel contains 400 tonnes of steel and the air is propelled by a fan that rotates at up to 600 rpm. The Technology Centre consolidated all aspects of the McLaren Group at one site, instead of the 18 separate sites previously occupied. In 2024, the Optimum Nutrition McLaren Performance Hub, a "state-of-the-art health and fitness centre," was launched at the Technology Centre. ==History==

McLaren's original application to build a new headquarters was made in 1995 and was unopposed by Woking Borough Council, however the development of such a large industrial site in green belt land led the Department of the Environment to order a public inquiry. The Environment Secretary, John Gummer, gave the development his approval in March 1997 under rules which allow development in the green belt "in very special circumstances"; Gummer said the McLaren application was such a case due to the economic and business arguments of the proposals and that he took the view that "[McLaren] is exceptional, both in the quality of its products and its achievements." In February 2000, DaimlerChrysler purchased 40 percent of the McLaren Group and McLaren subsequently announced it would build the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at the new facility. McLaren employees started using the facility in May 2003. McLaren has not disclosed the project's cost, but BBC News suggested a figure of £300m. Extension Planning permission for an extension to the McLaren Production Centre was granted in 2016. This "applied technology centre" will include "an aerodynamic research facility, workshops, research and development space, offices, meeting rooms, teaching and training space, vehicle preparation and assembly spaces, together with terraced car parking and two car park decks, cycle parking, a replacement helipad, and service areas." Sale On 20 April 2021 New York Stock Exchange-listed REIT, Global Net Lease (NYSE: GNL), announced that they had agreed to acquire the McLaren Group Headquarters in a sale-leaseback transaction for £170 million. The transaction was expected to close in the second quarter of 2021 and included a 20-year, NNN lease with no landlord obligations. The McLaren Group is said to have pursued the sale-and-leaseback deal to help deliver a financial boost, as it allows it to capitalize the expansive facility in Woking and then reinvest that money into the core operations of the company. In Dec 2025 Global Net Lease entered into an agreement to sell the McLaren Campus for £250 Million. ==In popular culture==

The McLaren Technology Centre was the filming location for a Coruscant spaceport, and the OKX Thought Leadership Centre was used as the ISB's operations room in the television series Andor. The visual effects team increased the building's height and designed a moat along the edge of the building. == References ==