Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed to deliver the main construction phase of Fabrica, the largest commercial science development to date in central Oxford.
Mission Street and BGO, the scheme’s joint venture (JV) development partners, confirmed today (30 April) that main works will begin next month, following completion of site preparation and groundworks by Colemans.
The 16,700 square metre building – described by the JV as the UK’s “largest ground-up science project to start in the first half of 2025” – is scheduled to be completed in early 2027.
Data intelligence provider Glenigan values the job at £58.5m.
Located on Botley Road in the city’s West End, the project will provide flexible space for science and innovation companies and forms part of Oxford’s only designated innovation district. It is also Oxford’s first commercial scheme requiring payment of the Oxford Living Wage to all employees working on site.
Designed across five floors, the scheme includes 650 square metres of public-facing food and beverage and community amenity space, intended to integrate the science community with the surrounding neighbourhood.
It is the UK’s first commercial science building targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating, and is also designed to achieve EPC A and WiredScore Platinum certifications.
Oberlanders was the architect on the project, according to Glenigan.
Mission Street development director Colin Brown said Bowmer + Kirkland had been selected after “a collaborative, positive procurement process”. He added: “Fabrica’s delivery represents a major vote of confidence in the UK market, as science companies increasingly look to central Oxford for its extensive amenities and unrivalled transport connections.”
The Fabrica job marks a second collaboration between Bowmer + Kirkland and the JV partners, following a pre-contract services agreement on the 23-acre District East project in Cambridge.
In the past five years, the contractor has delivered 241,500 square metres of science and innovation space with a total value of £661m.
Fabrica forms the second phase of Mission Street and BGO’s Central Science District, following completion of the Inventa building last year. The district has a wider pipeline of 232,000 square metres of academic and commercial floor space. The first phase has already attracted occupiers including 3D genomics firm Nucleome.
Bowmer + Kirkland group construction director Neil Brook said the contract award followed a 10-week tender process. Work will proceed over a 96-week construction programme.
Source: Bowmer + Kirkland press release/Glenigan