Take-up of science-related real estate across the golden triangle of London, Oxford and Cambridge totalled 1.35m sq ft in 2025, a 42% increase on 2024, according to new data from Savills.
Oxford saw take-up increase by 61% last year reaching 716,506 sq ft, 84% of which was for lab space. This can largely be attributed to the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) taking 450,000 sq ft of speculative lab space at The Daubeny Buildings, Oxford Science Park.
Cambridge saw take-up totalling 436,661 sq ft – 28% above 2024’s total, but below the long term average of 540,000 sq ft.
In London, take-up reached 203,000 sq ft, a 19% jump on 2024. Savills notes that 48% of take-up activity was for lab space as a number of key schemes reached practical completion in the capital.
In terms of supply, 1.1m sq ft of new stock is set to be delivered in 2026 across the golden triangle.
Tom Mellows, head of UK science at Savills, said: “2025 was characterised by tough economic and geo-political conditions which continue to create caution amongst investors and occupiers alike. This has particularly impacted the more traditional life science sector and, subsequently, take-up of lab space by smaller VC funded companies. However, we have seen growing positivity across the market.
“For example, EIT’s expansion in Oxford, discoveries in cell and gene therapy making headlines, as well as resolutions around the Government’s Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG) and tariffs should all see larger requirements return to the UK. In addition, emerging sectors such as quantum computing, materials and AI will continue to fuel demand leading to greater levels of activity in 2026.”
