Chesterford Research Park is delighted to announce that construction on the Newnham Building will begin in January 2019. The work is estimated to take 16 months with completion scheduled for May 2020.

Available to let through Cheffins and ideal for occupiers looking for grow-on space, the Newnham Building will create a detached two-storey laboratory/R&D building situated within a prominent position on the Park.  Arranged over ground and first floors, the building will also benefit from 111 parking spaces.

Internally, the building will provide a newly constructed double height glazed reception entrance to the western entrance as well as a new entrance to the eastern end of the building. Passenger lifts will be incorporated at each entrance, in addition to passenger/goods lift facilities. The floorplates are broadly rectangular in configuration, benefitting from the core facilities at each end. The first floor will also have access to a new terrace overlooking the wider Park and landscaped areas.

Significant plant loft space makes the building capable of being occupied by a range of laboratory/R&D occupiers, either in part or as a whole. The flexibility of the building also gives it the capability to cater for a range of needs in terms of technical configuration, as well as sizing.

Michael Jones, Director, Cheffins, comments:

Ready for occupation from June 2020, the Newnham Building is one of the most comprehensive opportunities ideal for grow-on space in the Cambridge Cluster, which is indicative of the power of these early stage companies in driving the market for laboratory and R&D accommodation. This type of space is in short supply in the Cambridge Cluster where there is proven demand as it continues to be a hub for start-ups. Occupiers are likely to be young companies, perhaps in their second funding round, which have grown out of incubator space and are looking for their next stage of accommodation. The building will include high quality, fully-fitted laboratory space and there are options for companies to work with us now to arrange fit out to a certain specification.

Julian Cobourne, Senior Asset Manager, Aviva Investers, joint owners of Chesterford Research Park alongside Uttlesford District Council commented: “We are delighted to move forward with the work to the Newnham Building.  There is a clear requirement within the cluster for additional grow-on space and the Newnham Building will offer that next step up for companies looking to expand.  The flexibility of the space makes it suitable for either single or multi-occupier layout and the fully-fitted nature of the laboratory space adds a level of plug-and-play convenience rarely seen at this level. Bringing forward the Newnham Building at this stage responds to the needs of a growing market and clearly bridges the gap between pure start-up space and the larger, more established life-science ventures.”

Martin Sylvester, Director, The Churchmanor Estates Company Plc, Chesterford Research Park’s development partner added: “The Newnham Building’s prominent position on the Park, coupled with Chesterford’s excellent reputation within the cluster has meant we have already seen significant interest from current occupiers looking for grow-on space, as well as from ventures new to Chesterford Research Park. We very much look forward to seeing work on site commence in January.”

Chesterford Research Park provides an innovative, flexible and future proofed environment for both established and early stage biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and development companies including Arecor, AstraZeneca, Charles River Laboratories, Evonetix and Domainex. To date, more than 300,000 sq ft of laboratory R&D space has been let and occupied. Further phases of construction are proposed to extend the development to approximately 1 million sq ft.

Chesterford Research Park’s uniquely low-density development, set within 250 acres of impressive parkland, offers not only ultra-modern and energy efficient laboratory and office space, but also central ‘hub’ facilities within the purpose-built The Nucleus building. At the heart of the Park, the Nucleus houses a restaurant, café bar, health and fitness centre, and meeting and conferencing space, all of which can be accessed and enjoyed by both occupiers and visitors on a daily basis.

The Newnham Building can be let through Cheffins Commercial Agency team on 01223 213666.