Bruntwood’s Manchester Science Partnerships has announced a £60m investment in the next phase of its health innovation campus Citylabs.
The development, a joint venture between MSP and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT), will provide 205,000 sq ft of office, laboratory and collaboration space across Citylabs 2.0 and 3.0.
The investment follows the 95,000 sq ft Citylabs 1.0, which was developed speculatively during the recession and was fully let shortly after opening in September 2014.
It is the latest scheme to be unveiled for Corridor Manchester – the city’s innovation district clustered around Oxford Road – where occupiers include the University of Manchester, Manchester Science Partnerships, CMFT and Manchester Metropolitan University.
The Citylabs buildings will be targeted at health and medical technology companies, including innovative firms working in digital health, medical devices, diagnostics, precision medicines and biomaterials.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Citylabs 1.0 epitomises Manchester’s proud tradition of cutting-edge research, one of our distinctive strengths.
“This major investment sends out a resounding message that we remain an outward and forward-looking city in which those who want to invest and create jobs can flourish.”
Citylabs 2.0 and 3.0 is the first scheme under Bruntwood’s strategic property partnership with CMFT, announced in March, with the purpose of helping to ensure hospital building and facilities are developed in a flexible and modern way to facilitate early access to new diagnostics and treatment.
Manchester Science Partnerships is a public-private partnership of which Bruntwood is the major shareholder. It operates 3m sq ft of office and laboratory space on its three main campuses – central Manchester, Citylabs 1.0 and Alderley Park. Shareholders also include University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester, Cheshire East and Salford City Councils.
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