A CGI image is attached of Abstract's forthcoming South Cambridge Science Centre scheme. Abstract has now started on site at the first phase of flexible laboratory accommodation aimed at life sciences and biotechnology occupiers, which will eventually comprise around 190,000 sq. ft. of much needed new laboratory space in Cambridge.
Mark Glatman's Abstract Securities has announced that its associated company, Abstract Mid-Tech Limited, has today speculatively started work on site at the first phase of its state-of-the-art development, aimed at life sciences and biotechnology occupiers, named South Cambridge Science Centre (SCSC).
The first building to be delivered at the Science Centre, a three-storey R&D development of c145,000 sq. ft. with parking for 269 cars and 225 bicycles, will be completed and fully operational by early 2025. A subsequent phase comprising an additional c45,000 sq. ft. building is planned as part of a repositioning of the wider Dales Manor Estate into a new Life Sciences destination in Cambridge.
SCSC, which received detailed planning consent in March 2023, is being developed on a brownfield site in Sawston, which offers easy access from Cambridge City Centre (just six miles away) and sits close to Babraham Research Park, Granta Park and Unity Campus - an established cluster of South Cambridge life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and research occupiers.
The new building will be Net Zero Carbon in operation; BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and offer an EPC rating of ‘A’.
Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract, said: “Having been granted detailed planning consent, we are delighted to have now started on site to create much needed new science and technology lab space within the South Cambridge Cluster. Furthermore, our very low land price means we can create top quality accommodation at a much lower rental than competing developments across the Cambridge market.
“South Cambridge Science Centre is in an established region of Cambridge where the availability of quality laboratories is extremely limited, whilst there is huge demand from fast growing companies in this sector. Tight land supply and a complex planning regime has contributed to this lack of supply and so we anticipate that delivering our speculative development to this market will be very well received.
‘’We are creating laboratory space suitable for a wide range of organisations, offering maximum flexibility in a landscaped setting, and sitting alongside the proposed Cambridge South-East Transport route (CSET), which will eventually link the neighbouring science and research parks, Biomedical Campus and Cambridge City Centre.
“With current rents in this market pushing towards £70 per sq. ft, we will be delivering best in class space at a significant discount.”
Christopher McPherson, Development Director of Abstract Securities, said: “We are committed to delivering buildings of the highest quality that are also operationally Net Zero Carbon and that meet and surpass multiple environmental benchmarks.
“To our knowledge, no other building in the Cambridge market has higher environmental standards than SCSC. Given the requirement for world-class yet affordable laboratory space in the area, we anticipate high demand for SCSC, which will be available for occupation in around 16 months in early 2025 and we are in early discussions with several organisations who recognise the need to move early to satisfy their growth ambitions. We are also developing designs for the next phase of development and would envisage submitting planning shortly.’’
Michael Laird are architects for the development and Bowmer & Kirkland are main contractor.
DTRE and Bidwells are retained letting agents for the South Cambridge Science Centre.
For information about the proposed development please contact:
Mark Glatman (mark.glatman@abstractsecurities.com) or
Christopher McPherson (christopher.mcpherson@abstractsecurities.com)
www.scambssc.com
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For media information, please contact Pauline Gregory, Pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com /07833 490964
or Lisa Mennie, lisa@skylarkpublicrelations.com/ 07825 225 414
Editor’s notes:-
Established in April 2000 by Mark Glatman, the Abstract Group of Companies specialises in commercial property development and venture capital financing. The management team at Abstract is highly experienced at working directly with major property owners and corporate end users, and has developed in excess of 1.4 million sq ft of new office buildings across the UK in the last 7 years, providing new offices for companies including Babcock plc, KPMG, Aker Solutions, Virgin Atlantic, Pension Protection Fund, Zurich UK, and Wood plc, amongst others.
www.abstractsecurities.com