Council land deal unlocks major life science investment

Planning permission was granted early this year and now the brownfield site will be redeveloped to bring forward over 215,000sqft of high-tech, purpose-built lab and office space focused on research, digital innovation and life sciences.  

Kadans’ investment exemplifies how the Council is coordinating investment into the highest growth and productivity employment sectors, with the first phase alone facilitating the creation of 2000 new jobs.  

A further 475,000sqft of life science employment space is being delivered by other developers in latter phases of the regeneration programme. 

The building is designed around Kadans’ core principles of technical excellence, transparency and connectivity. Split across ground plus seven floors, the space is designed with adaptability at the forefront providing floorplates that have an optimised division of one to four tenancies.  

The atrium encourages circulation both horizontally and vertically through well planned meeting and breakout spaces. This is complemented by an active and permeable ground floor providing a focal town hall area, publicly accessible café and innovation space.  

Upper Brook Street sits adjacent to the Oxford Road Corridor which has operated for over 15 years and accommodates more than 50% of all life science business in Manchester, and Kadans will look to foster partnerships with Manchester’s wealth of world-class research facilities harnessing the power of people and place. 

Kadans will continue to engage with the local community and sign-post opportunities for social cohesion and community through construction and into operation to develop an inclusive innovation hub. 

Combining the positioning of the main entrances toward the university campuses with landscaped routes through to Ardwick, the scheme strengthens engagement between the project, community and academic institutions, promoting inclusivity, community cohesion and collaboration. 

Development of the site by Kadans is expected to begin in the New Year 2025 with a view to completion in 2027. 

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:  

“Upper Brook Street is a key regeneration location that has the potential to bring long-term brownfield sites back into active use. This site represents the first of an ambitious programme of investment in this part of our city, which is supporting enviable growth for our research and life science sectors, creating quality jobs for our residents and diversifying the city’s economy.  

“Given its location close to the Oxford Road corridor, the site allows for close collaboration with the city’s universities and research community, supporting opportunity for Manchester to continue to build its reputation as a globally renowned centre for medical and life sciences.” 

Will Fogden, Development Lead for Kadans Science Partner, said: 

“This is a significant milestone which kickstarts this mixed-use masterplan. Adopting a philosophy of designing ‘inside-out’ the scheme combines strong architectural language with robust functionality to create an optimum framework for innovation and collaboration. We look forward to starting on site in 2025 and delivering on this transformational district that promotes inclusivity, innovation and collaboration to deliver game changing science.”