Work starts on 343,000 sq ft science and innovation campus in Cambridge

Cambridge Discovery Campus provisions for 343,000 sq ft of science & innovation space on 50 acres.

Vertase FLI Ltd has begun demolition and remediation works onsite ahead of the development of six lab-enabled buildings alongside extensive amenity provision – including a 30-acre country park.

The scheme won planning permission last July. Cambridge Discovery Campus is two miles south of Cambridge city and, as such, is the closest scheme of its type to the burgeoning Cambridge Biomedical Campus where AstraZeneca and Prologis are executing major expansion plans.

This proximity will give Cambridge Discovery Campus occupiers swift and easy access to the world class research, patient care and academic excellence located at the biomedical campus – including the University of Cambridge, Papworth Hospital, Cancer Research UK and the recently announced Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

Cambridge South Railway Station, opening later this year, will be an eight-minute car journey – or a 15-minute cycle ride along dedicated existing cycle routes which transect the campus.

The new rail station will connect occupiers to London within around 45 minutes. Also, the new Southwest Travel Hub (Park & Ride) completing in 2026, is adjacent to Cambridge Discovery Campus and will provide over 2,000 parking spaces and 12 new buses per hour into Cambridge city and Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

On completion, Cambridge Discovery Campus will provide 343,000 sq ft of science and innovation space, flexibly designed to support small to medium sized ventures or ‘whole campus’ organisations.

The exciting re-development of the 50-acre site will also include a bespoke amenity building, including café, outside dining terrace, fully equipped gym and meeting facilities – all overlooking superb sports fields, surrounded by a 30-acre country park.

Will Heath, CEO,Bridgemere commented: “Cambridge’s reputation as a leading international life sciences cluster continues to strengthen; evidenced by trailblazing companies, like AstraZeneca, which choose to locate here to take advantage of the synergies the cluster has to offer.

“The Cambridge Discovery Campus vision is to make its own significant contribution to the continued future success of the innovation sectors via the provision of super-connected, state of the art research and development buildings set within an environment that prioritises occupier well-being, whilst enhancing the immediate environment for the surrounding community to enjoy.”

Rob Sadler, Foundation Capital Ventures added: “The strategic location of Cambridge Discovery Campus is second to none. Within the next six months you will be able to step off a train at the newly opened Cambridge South Station, opposite AstraZeneca’s global headquarters, grab a scooter or jump on a bike and be at Cambridge Discovery Campus within 15 minutes.

“We are creating a campus which enjoys the best of it all – superb research and development facilities, open, green spaces and a focus on high quality amenity for everyone to enjoy, combined with the ability to connect seamlessly to the additional world-class research and academic prowess which is the cornerstone of Cambridge’s bioscience cluster.”

Bidwells and Savills have been appointed as joint letting agents.

Further details, including a short film setting out the vision for the campus, can be found at the newly launched Cambridge Discovery Campus website.

You can also contact Rob Sadler, FCV – rs@foundationcapitalventures.com or Will Heath, Bridgemere – will.heath@bridgemere-group.co.uk.