Citylabs launch heralds new MSP brand
Click image below to launch gallery
- Original facade was retained
- Citylabs, where Manchester College has a medical sciences facility
The Sheppard Robson-designed Citylabs science workspace off Oxford Road, Manchester, was formally opened by Chancellor George Osborne this week.
The professional team for the £25m 100,000 sq ft biomedical centre was Lend Lease as main contractor; Sheppard Robson, architect; Sweett Group, quantity surveyor; Deloitte Real Estate, planning; Arup, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers; Addleshaw Goddard, legal.
The grade 2-listed former Manchester Royal Eye Hospital was restored and redeveloped by Bruntwood alongside Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The project now sits within MSP, rebranded by majority shareholder Bruntwood as Manchester Science Partnerships instead of Manchester Science Parks to reflect the firm's collaborative ethos.
Nearly half of the building will be occupied by ICON, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.
The project was partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund, with senior debt provided by Lloyds Bank and the North West Evergreen Fund. MSP's shareholders are Bruntwood, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester, Cheshire East and Salford City Councils.
