Member Article

Site works underway at Unity Campus in preparation for Phase 2 development

Cambridge-based property investor and developer Howard Group has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to commence works for its next phase of development at Unity Campus; infrastructure and remediation works started on site at the end of April.

Located eight miles from Cambridge at the centre of the life sciences cluster to the south of the city, Unity Campus is an exciting new urban innovation district in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside. Its compact, bold aesthetic proudly builds on the industrial legacy of the site and the neighbouring villages of Sawston and Pampisford and its signature contemporary, industrial vibe has attracted a number of life science highfliers including most recently, Domainex and Phoremost.

Already a vibrant campus with innovation, collaboration and ideas exchange at its heart, Phase 2 will provide an additional circa 90,000 sq ft of exceptional, flexible life science laboratory space across three buildings. The buildings will continue the modern industrial look, each enjoying a unique external aesthetic achieved via a mixed palette of external façade materials. An extension to the existing car park will add a further 256 parking spaces and 14 accessible parking spaces on campus. Expected to be available in Q2, 2023, Phase 2 units from 10,000 sq ft are now available to pre-let.

As investors focused on the long-term, Howard Group prioritises both its environment and social responsibilities across its portfolio, with this stance very much in evidence at Unity Campus. Phase 2 is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and the increased use of renewables (across the campus) is being targeted over and above the obligations set out in planning.

There is also a drive to utilise a greater percentage of bio-based materials across this and future phases of development to further reduce the carbon impact of the scheme. Additionally, initiatives such as the partnership between FutureIN and TrAC (Training and Apprenticeships in Construction), which work together to give young people at risk of homelessness a secure future through education and skills support will also be a pre-requisite for the contractor appointed to complete the project.

Werner Baumker, Group Director – Property, Howard Group, said: “In a market currently severely constrained by supply, we are committed to delivering a best-in-class product to enable the burgeoning life sciences industry within the Cambridge Cluster to continue to thrive. Never deviating from our core purpose - to improve and enrich lives through responsible investing in people, places and ideas – we are excited to continue the development of Unity Campus into a place that has a positive long-term impact on the environment and those people and communities that interact with it, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

In addition to Morgan Sindall Construction, Howard Group are working in partnership with 3PM, CB3, Nicholas Hare Architects, Conisbee, Shrimplin and Hoare Lee to deliver Phase 2.

Jamie Shearman, Morgan Sindall area director in Cambridge, said: “We are thrilled to be delivering further flexible life science spaces at Unity Campus.

“This builds on the success of the first phase at Unity Campus where we delivered ‘The Works’ together. Building on Cambridge’s well-established reputation within life sciences, this second phase will enhance the facilities at Unity Campus and elevate the region’s role within the industry further. We are excited to bring our experience of the sector and being based in Sawston we also look forward to using the project as a catalyst for providing clear benefits to the local community.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .