Glenn Howells Architects (GHA) is to design a building for the English National Ballet in London as part of the development of London City Island.

The English National Ballet School will take up residence in the structure – to be sited centrally within the new city creative quarter on the eastern banks of the River Thames.

Spanning 12 acres, the City Island is to include restaurants, shops, spaces for public art and creative performances and 1,145 new residencies.

The development, architecturally designed by GHA, and backed by property developer Eco World Ballymore is now in its second phase, costing £614m (US$941m, €836m).

It is an island-style neighbourhood on the Leamouth Peninsula, near Canary Wharf and strategically situated for rail, road and air links.

A City Island Arts Club will also be developed as a private resident’s club with screening room, gym, and swimming pool.

Glenn Howells said the English National Ballet building will be a critical part of the wider project.

He said: “This project sits at the heart of a new mixed-use district and will be the focal point of creative activity that is planned throughout the whole development.”

Eco World Ballymore is funding the shell and core of the building, while the English National Ballet and English National Ballet School will jointly fundraise for the costs of fitting out the facility.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said: “Having bespoke, state-of-the-art facilities will strengthen this internationally renowned company’s ability to create new work and to rehearse, as well as allowing its talent development and creative learning plans to flourish.”

The space will also include a dedicated area for the English National Ballet Philharmonic and public access to the school’s archives, and encourage engagement with local communities.

It is hoped the company will move in during Q3 2018.