Mace inks first phase of work at huge expansion of Oxford University science park

Mace has been confirmed as winner on a life sciences scheme for Oxford University which will be the first phase of an innovation district that will include up to 2,000 homes at the university’s Begbroke Science Park.

As revealed by Building this spring, the deal is being developed under a wider £4bn partnership the university struck with Legal & General in 2019 and is being spearheaded by Oxford University Development, a joint venture company set up by the pair.

The JV is ploughing £100m into the first phase with Mace’s share thought to be around half of that figure.

Mace’s work involves two new buildings to provide a total of around 135,000 sq ft of lab and office space. This phase will include new facilities for the university’s physical and life sciences departments with the other being given over to life sciences firms looking to forge links with academia.

Designed by NBBJ Architects, Mace is expected to complete work in early 2024.

Others working on the scheme include project manager Buro Four, QS Aecom, M&E engineer Hoare Lea and structural engineer Ramboll.

Oxford University has owned the Begbroke site, which has been a research base for five decades, since 1998, opening up its first business incubator initiative the following year.

As well as new homes, other plans in the wider masterplan, which is being drawn up by a Hawkins Brown-led team, include a hotel, restaurant, bars, cafes, shops, educational, community and sports facilities.