Bruntwood SciTech has announced the practical completion of Greenheys, the £60m laboratory and workspace development at Manchester Science Park.
The facility will become the new headquarters of UK Biobank and sits within the Oxford Road Corridor Knowledge Quarter.
The organisation is preparing to relocate 11 million biological samples from freezers in Stockport to Greenheys, alongside half of its 400-strong team.
In total, Greenheys offers 131,000 sq ft of specialist laboratory and write-up space for the next generation of life sciences and tech innovation businesses.
Greenheys will become a cornerstone of Manchester’s thriving innovation sector and represents Bruntwood SciTech’s most scientifically advanced space in the city.
It’s a key part of Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor Knowledge Quarter, which includes Manchester Science Park, the Citylabs campus and Circle Square – a cluster specifically designed to support science and tech innovation at scale.
Sam Darby, development director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “The building has been created for ambitious, research-led organisations that need high-quality lab space, access to exceptional talent and direct connections into a world-class research, clinical and academic ecosystem.
“Reaching this milestone also strengthens Manchester Science Park’s role as a key part of the city’s innovation infrastructure, while bringing us an important step closer to welcoming UK Biobank to its new headquarters.
“At Greenheys we have the capacity to support a whole host of other organisations operating at the very highest level of scientific discovery; helping them to collaborate, attract talent and accelerate impact.”
Professor Sir Rory Collins, chief executive and principal investigator of UK Biobank, said: “The completion of our Manchester home marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for UK Biobank.
“Our dedicated lab team will soon be able to process millions of samples from our generous participants four times faster than before, accelerating the pace of health research.
“Being located alongside the university and a thriving life sciences community will also create new opportunities for collaboration and partnership across the wider UK Biobank team, while providing a modern, purpose-built working environment for colleagues.”
The delivery of UK Biobank’s new HQ was, in part, made possible by a £127.6m investment from the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
Dr Ceri Williams, executive director of Challenge Led Themes at the Medical Research Council – part of UKRI – and senior responsible owner for the project, said: “The completion of Greenheys is an important milestone for Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor and the wider innovation ecosystem across the North West.
“As one of the world’s most important health research resources, UK Biobank provides researchers around the globe with access to data and biological samples that underpin breakthroughs in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
“Through our investment in UK Biobank’s new headquarters and automated sample store, we are strengthening its capacity and reach, enabling discoveries that improve lives and reinforcing the UK’s position as a global leader in life sciences and health research.”
Bruntwood SciTech has announced the practical completion of £60m Greenheys
Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Greenheys is a major addition to the Northern Growth Corridor’s science and innovation infrastructure, bringing the specialist laboratory capacity needed to support world-leading research and help ambitious businesses grow.
“With UK Biobank at its heart, and located alongside Manchester’s universities, hospitals and established innovation businesses, the development will further strengthen the Oxford Road Corridor as a globally important cluster.”
Greenheys was delivered on time and on budget by Willmott Dixon.
Willmott Dixon’s Northern managing director, Anthony Dillon, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have handed over Greenheys to Bruntwood SciTech and to see this fantastic new cutting-edge sustainable hub ready to revolutionise the life sciences industry.”
Bruntwood SciTech is a joint venture between Bruntwood, L&G and Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
Greenheys is also home to Manchester city centre’s largest living wall, comprising 160,000 plants across 1,700 sq metres. The plants help reduce air pollution while providing a unique habitat for pollinators, local wildlife and more than 125 species of invertebrates.