Willmott Dixon has embarked on a significant development in Manchester, enhancing its science park.
- The project focuses on redeveloping the existing Greenheys building into a state-of-the-art lab.
- UK Biobank will establish its headquarters here, utilising innovative technology.
- Advanced features include enhanced safety, piped gas systems, and superfast connectivity.
- This initiative is part of a broader plan to stimulate scientific advancement and innovation.
Willmott Dixon has officially commenced construction on the next phase of Bruntwood SciTech’s Manchester Science Park, a major stride towards establishing an advanced science hub. The initiative is set to transform the existing Greenheys building into 131,000 square feet of specialised laboratory space distributed across six floors. This redevelopment emphasises the creation of cutting-edge facilities aimed at fostering innovation in the life sciences sector.
Following enabling works initiated last year, Bruntwood SciTech has now appointed Willmott Dixon as the main contractor for this £60m redevelopment located in Manchester’s technologically significant Oxford Road Corridor. Designed by BDP, the project is anticipated to complete by summer 2026, marking a crucial milestone in the advancement of the park.
UK Biobank, a prominent entity in biological research, has committed to occupying three floors of the Greenheys building, establishing its headquarters and enhancing its research capabilities. Among the technological advancements featured is a new robotic freezer, which will transform the handling of biological samples by storing and retrieving up to 20 million specimens at speeds four times faster than current methods allow.
The Greenheys facility will provide a variety of specialised CL2 laboratories, each supported by expansive office space ranging from 2,500 to 22,000 square feet. Critical technical enhancements are also included, such as increased vibration resistance, comprehensive piped gas distribution systems, advanced cooling and ventilation systems, heightened security measures, and 100GB superfast connectivity, all tailored to meet the demands of modern scientific research.
Bruntwood SciTech, a collaborative venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General, and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, is at the forefront of this development. Sam Darby, the Development Director of Bruntwood SciTech, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Willmott Dixon, citing their significant expertise as aligning closely with the project’s visionary objectives.
The Greenheys redevelopment is a key component of the broader Manchester Science Park masterplan, which aims to construct an expansive one million square feet of scientific space. This development is part of a series of ongoing projects by Bruntwood SciTech, including Citylabs 4.0, No. 3 Circle Square, and the innovative centre at Pall Mall, further cementing Manchester’s position as a leader in science and technology initiatives.
This development signifies a pivotal enhancement to Manchester’s scientific landscape, poised to drive innovation and transformation.
