Cambridge is recognised as Europe’s largest technology cluster with some 5,500 knowledge intensive businesses employing more than 60,000 people. As a research & development powerhouse particularly in life sciences and technology this has driven sustained demand for high-quality office and laboratory space across several key zones.
Cambridge Northern Fringe East
The relocation of the wastewater treatment plant close to Cambridge North Station unlocks significant development potential in this area. Several sites are capable of accommodating 100,000+ sq ft developments.
Cambridge Business Park
In November 2024 the Cambridge Business Park in north-east Cambridge announced outline plans to develop into an innovation ecosystem in the area. The Crown Estate which owns the business park intends to invest in the regeneration of the site. The park currently comprises twelve buildings across twenty acres, providing approximately 325,000 sq ft of commercial office space.
The grand vision for the Cambridge Business Park is to create a destination development with a mixture of high specification laboratories, office space for start-ups and established businesses, homes, leisure spaces, and a purpose-built high street. Transportation will also be upgraded by improving access to Cambridge North station and nearby science parks.
The project is at an early stage. Consultation on outline plans is due to commence in Q4 2024. Construction, subject to planning consents, is anticipated in 2026 with phased completion due in 2030.
Cherry Hinton
In September 2024, Mission Street, a developer of science parks, and BGO, a US real estate investment manager, received planning consent by Cambridge City Council to erect up to seven buildings on a 23-acre site in Cherry Hinton. The site is close to the Cambridge airport and had been unused for decades. Approval remains subject to Section 106 agreements and other conditions.
The intention is to house a mixture of research and development companies to create a science and technology cluster. The seven buildings. totalling 1,000,000 sq ft gross internal area will be designed around a central square and pedestrian precinct. When built, the district will be one of the largest new urban science district developments in Europe.
Cambridge Southern Fringe
The southern fringe being the area to the immediate south of Cambridge city centre is anchored by developments including:
Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC): The largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe
The CBC continues to expand with potential for several million square feet of additional development
Addenbrooke's Hospital acts as a major anchor tenant driving associated commercial development
South Cambridge Science Centre
In April 2025, phase one development at the South Cambridge Science Centre will complete. The Science Centre is in Sawston, close to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge and South of Cambridge railway station. The Science Centre is situated between Babraham Research Park and Unity Campus. Phase one is anticipated to comprise over 138,000 square feet (GIA) of flexible office space and high specification wet and dry laboratories purpose-built for research and development. The Science Centre offers a high level of flexibility in floor plans from 20,000 square feet upwards.
South Cambridge Science Centre
The developers, Abstract Group, are investing to deliver BREEAM “Excellent” and EPC “A” environmental credentials. The new build offices are carbon neutral and free from fossil fuels. The research site employs a computer-controlled water harvesting system. The multiple energy saving designs at the South Cambridge Science Centre mean the office development has the lowest running costs of any equivalent scheme. This translates to 40% more space for no additional cost to tenants, compared to other leading Cambridge office sites.
Phase two development of the South Cambridge Science Centre office development is proceeding after the granting of planning consent in October 2024. Phase two will comprise approx. 44,650 sq ft (GIA). Construction is scheduled to start Q3 2025 with completion anticipated in Q3 2026.
Phases three, four and five at South Cambridge Science Centre are under active consideration and will add significantly to the available office space
West Cambridge
The West Cambridge site located around the University of Cambridge's growing campus, has been a focal point for research-focused office development. The area has planning frameworks in place to support significant commercial expansion, particularly for research-intensive businesses seeking collaboration with the university.
Strong demand from the life science, biotech and technology sectors around Cambridge continues to attract the development of new high-quality laboratories and offices. The major new office developments have all successfully overcome local requirements for emphasis on sustainability and green building standards, integration with transport infrastructure, cycling highways and public transport connectivity. For large developments, power and digital infrastructure capacity and mixed-use developments rather than isolated office parks are also key considerations.