Construction has commenced on 60,000 sq ft of new life sciences space at the Sidney Sussex Building at Chesterford Research Park, near Cambridge.
Readie Construction has been appointed main contractor for the development works, which will deliver up to 10 flexible suites over three floors, ranging from 2,226 sq ft to 8,409 sq ft
Each fully fitted wet laboratory suite will include open plan office areas, whilst the laboratory spaces themselves will comprise benching, sinks and fitted fume hoods, as well as heating and cooling systems.
Julian Cobourne, head of regional investment management at Aviva Investors, which owns the park along with Uttlesford District Council, said: “We are really pleased to increase the breadth of facilities on offer at Chesterford Research Park, with this latest phase of expansion reinforcing our growth ambitions for the park and our desire to cement Cambridge’s credentials as one of the leading clusters for both established and early-stage biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the UK and Europe.
“The Sidney Sussex Building will add more additional high-quality, flexible research and discovery space to the Park, enabling our existing community to expand and grow here as well welcoming new occupiers. This project reflects the strong demand we continue to see across the life sciences sector, one of the UK’s most dynamic markets. Working together with our trusted partners, we are looking forward to bringing this building to life.”
Martin Sylvester, marketing director at The Churchmanor Estates Company, Chesterford Research Park’s development partner, added: “Following the success of the Science Village Building, the Sidney Sussex Building is designed to create an ability for companies to further expand their initial footprint in a flexible and beneficial way. It is the first building providing three floors of R&D space with independent services at the park and further extends the range of early-stage laboratory facilities in a market short of such options.”
Paul Stephens, managing director of Readie Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to deliver the Sidney Sussex Building at Chesterford Research Park. This new building will provide much-needed space for life science companies in the Cambridge area, and we are committed to delivering a high-quality, sustainable building that meets the needs of our clients and future occupiers.”
Aviva Investors and Uttlesford District Council are advised by Chesterford Research Park’s joint commercial agents, Savills and Cheffins.
