Work has started on a £42m specialist lab and office development in Manchester.
Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, has commenced construction on a 125,000 sq ft scheme at the Citylabs cluster at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's (MFT) Oxford Road Campus.
The seven-storey development will provide life science and healthcare businesses with an opportunity to gain direct access and collaborate with the 海角视频's largest NHS Trust.
READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter
As part of the support provided by the joint venture, businesses will receive access to research and development and funding support, as well as opportunities including joint clinical trials, sample supply, diagnostic collaborations and medtech adoption.
The development of Citylabs 4.0 is the third phase in the Citylabs masterplan and will take the campus from 192,000 sq ft to 327,000 sq ft. It will also contribute to the creation of more than 300 jobs.
Contractor GMI Construction Group has been appointed to build the Sheppard Robson-designed development and local teams also working on the development include Arup, Hilson Moran, Gardiner and Theobald, and Layers.
The development, which is expected to open in spring 2025, is supported by a £32m senior loan from the North West Evergreen Fund, managed by CBRE's Investment Advisory team, which is part of CBRE Capital Advisors.
Most Read
Dr Kath Mackay, director of life sciences at Bruntwood SciTech, said: "There has never been a greater opportunity for the 海角视频 and Manchester to support the life science sector as there is currently by investing in the much needed specialist lab space and infrastructure companies need to scale and collaborate.
"Manchester’s life science ecosystem continues to thrive and at Citylabs through our partnership with MFT we can provide businesses with direct access into the NHS and have tests and treatments adopted at a faster pace and scale here more than anywhere else, resulting in improved healthcare for the people of Manchester and wider region.
"As the Citylabs campus approaches its 10th anniversary, we’re excited to get underway with Citylabs 4.0 and look forward to welcoming new businesses to this community and world-leading hub for health innovation, and continuing to enhance the city's knowledge economy and private, academic and clinical collaboration opportunities."
Professor Rick Body, group director of research and innovation at MFT, added: "As one of the 海角视频’s leading healthcare providers we are committed to improving patient treatment and care through research and innovation, so we are delighted to see the expansion of Citylabs continues at our Oxford Road Campus.
"Citylabs provides a unique platform to involve clinicians, patients, and our communities, at the start of the research innovation journey.
"It also meets our ambition to strive for the highest possible standards of sustainability in healthcare for the benefit of future generations.
"We look forward to welcoming new partners from the life sciences industry to co-locate, along with the opportunity to develop our hosted research and innovation infrastructure."
Don’t miss
Marc Banks, divisional managing director of GMI North West, said: "GMI is delighted to be partnering up with repeat client Bruntwood SciTech on this next phase of the Citylabs campus expansion.
"There is no doubt that Manchester is the driving force for science, technology and innovation in the North and for GMI to be a part of that, working alongside Bruntwood SciTech, is something we are immensely proud of. Not only will we create a world class office space, but it will also be one which has sustainability at the heart."
Andrew Antoniades, head of CBRE lending, added: "We are delighted to fund the next phase of the Citylabs campus. The Evergreen Fund has a long history of supporting Bruntwood SciTech in the creation of employment space and associated economic growth in the North West and this advanced lab space will help cement Greater Manchester’s ambitions as a Life Sciences leader."