The site is located on the south bank of the Thames River and close to the Tower Bridge. It is well connected to public transportation, and has great views of the Shard and Swiss Re. This area has undergone many changes in the last 20 years; what was previously a depressed area has become the a site of development of new cultural industries. Norman Foster developed a master plan which includes the construction of offices, luxury hotels, restaurants, gyms and the city council. The location of London Public Library emerged as a natural complement to Foster´s master plan. 

The brief called for the library to be inserted as a continuity to the master plan. There was no restriction set for the height of the building, but proposals had to retain 100% of the green footprint of the site, thereby ensuring generous outdoor public space.