MIPIM | McAlpine confirmed as Citylabs 2.0 gets under way

Manchester Science Partnerships and contractor Sir Robert McAlpine have started work on the 92,000 sq ft Citylabs 2.0, pre-let to global molecular diagnostics company Qiagen.

Designed by Sheppard Robson, the development is a joint venture between MSP and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and is due to complete by the end of 2020. McAlpine’s contract is worth £22m.

Qiagen will relocate from its existing base at Manchester Science Park to build a team with disciplines including medtech, clinical trials, and data management, while working with existing companies at sister building Citylabs 1.0, including researchers, clinicians and procurement.

Citylabs 1.0, completed in 2015, is also fully let.

The area around the development benefits from a strategic regeneration framework, and is set to see more than 4m sq ft of development by 2025, focussed on four sites offering commercial space for science, health, and technology.

Tom Renn, managing director of MSP said: “This is an important milestone in our journey to create a world-leading precision medicine campus in Manchester, strengthening the region’s standing as a global centre of excellence in life sciences and diagnostics, bringing real health benefits to millions of people, and supporting the creation of thousands of high-quality jobs.

“We look forward to supporting our long-standing customer Qiagen as they continue with their ongoing growth and expand into Citylabs 2.0 once it completes at the end of 2020.

“We’re incredibly proud to be working with Qiagen and be part of the partnership which is creating a globally-leading genomics hub in Manchester, and look forward to working with other life sciences and medtech businesses as they join our cluster at Citylabs.”

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