Bruntwood SciTech unveils £60m Manchester lab

The existing Greenheys building is to be demolished and replaced with a new-build 131,000 sq ft facility at Manchester Science Park. 

UK Biobank is in talks to occupy around half of the six-storey building, Place North West understands. 

The rest of Bruntwood SciTech’s £60m lab complex, designed by BDP, will provide a home for life sciences companies working in diagnostics, genomics, and precision medicine. 

Offering a range of labs with supporting office space from 2,500 sq ft to 22,000 sq ft floors, the development will “embrace the latest innovations in building materials and environmental technology”, according to Bruntwood SciTech. 

The developer, a joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, is targeting BREEAM ‘excellent’ accreditation and is designing the building to be 100% electric. 

“The future success of the UK life science sector is dependent on its many fast-growing and innovative businesses having access to the infrastructure they need,” said Peter Crowther, property director at Bruntwood SciTech.  

“We continue to demonstrate our long-term commitment to the places and cities in which we operate, Manchester Science Park being an exemplar of this. Since 2012 we have invested £43m in completing the first two phases of its masterplan, growing the campus from 210,000 to 500,000 sq ft.” 

The redevelopment of Greenheys will expand the existing life science cluster at Manchester Science Park, which is home to companies including international molecular diagnostics group Yourgene Health, Zilico which is developing the next generation of diagnostic devices for cervical cancer, and enzyme engineering company Imperagen. 

Plans for the next phase of MSP come hot on the heels of the completion of Base Building, a 120,000 sq ft building designed by Bridge Architects, last year. 

The project team comprises planning consultant Deloitte, cost consultant Walker Sime, civil and structural engineer DW Consulting, and MEP consultant Silcock Leedham. 

An online consultation on the project will begin on 14 March. 

Subject to planning approval, the building will open in spring 2026, with enabling works starting this summer.