The Crown Estate has secured planning consent to transform the former Debenhams in Oxford city centre into a new 100,000 sq ft home for science, innovation and technology businesses.
The building at 1-12 Magdalen Street is being redeveloped as part of The Crown Estate’s partnership with Pioneer Group and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE).
Alongside a range of labs, the building will also feature dedicated conference and events space, including a ‘Showcase Lab’ for OSE companies to make science and innovation more visible and accessible to younger audiences. Work is due to start on-site in the first half of 2027 with completion in 2029.
Kristy Lansdown, managing director for development at The Crown Estate, said: “1-12 Magdalen Street will deliver world class science facilities in the heart of the city – a place with not only a rich cultural history, but one that is entrenched in the history of science and progress. Alongside our outstanding partners at Pioneer Group and OSE, we are committed to creating a best-in-class lab space for innovative start-ups and scale-ups that will strengthen Oxford’s appeal to the wider sector and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.”
Harry Pickering, portfolio director and head of UK real estate at Pioneer Group, added: “Securing planning permission for 1–12 Magdalen Street is a significant milestone in transforming a prominent Oxford city centre site into a new home for science and innovation. Together with The Crown Estate and Oxford Science Enterprises, we are creating high-quality laboratory space that will support the next generation of breakthrough companies and strengthen Oxford’s position as one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.”
Pete Wilder, head of property and operations at Oxford Science Enterprises, said: “Oxford is one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, and with that success comes growing demand for high-quality laboratory space in central, well-connected locations. Together with The Crown Estate and Pioneer Group, we are creating a development that will provide world class facilities in the heart of the city, enabling science and technology companies to scale while remaining embedded in the city’s unique academic and entrepreneurial network.”
Daniel Parker, science and technology practice leader at Perkins&Will, which has designed the scheme, added: “1–12 Magdalen Street is an important project for Oxford and the UK, as our transformation of this former Debenhams store will create the country’s first hub focused on human and planetary health start-ups and scale-ups. Through careful refurbishment of the heritage facades and retention of the existing structure and fabric, we are giving the building a new lease of life and creating a home for pioneering research in the heart of the city. By reusing the existing structure rather than replacing it, we are also significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the development and delivering a highly sustainable asset for the future.”
Bidwells is project manager on the development.
