Construction is set to commence at the end of May on Fabrica science park, a £190 million commercial development on Botley Road that will become Oxford’s largest of its kind to date. Contractor Bowmer + Kirkland secured the build contract, with completion expected in early 2027.
The 180,000 sq ft scheme will deliver a five-storey, purpose-built building offering a flexible mix of laboratories, offices and collaboration space aimed at science and technology companies.
Around 7,000 sq ft. of the development will be dedicated to public-facing amenities, including a café, helping to integrate the building into the surrounding area.
Fabrica received planning permission in December 2023 and is set to become Oxford’s first Living Wage Building, with a commitment that all workers on the project will be paid the Oxford Living Wage or higher, as set by Oxford City Council.
The scheme is being delivered by developers Mission Street in partnership with investment manager BGO and represents the second phase of a wider life sciences portfolio being rolled out across the UK. In Oxford, this portfolio is focused on the West End and Botley Road corridor, which has been earmarked as the city’s emerging central science district.
Mission Street and BGO previously completed the first phase of this portfolio with Inventa, a 65,000 sq ft. laboratory and office development at Botley Road Retail Park. The project opened in 2024, transforming a disused retail unit into space for commercial life sciences occupiers.
A spokesperson for Mission Street said:
“Fabrica will provide five storeys of fully flexible laboratory, office, and collaboration space for commercial occupiers in the science and technology sectors, with customisable floorplates designed for university spinouts as well as established R&D companies.
“Local residents, the local authority and wider stakeholders were consulted extensively during the planning process over a period of more than two years, which included open public consultations.”
Designed by NBBJ Architects, Fabrica will feature large, adaptable floorplates capable of accommodating wet labs alongside office space, as well as a central atrium intended to encourage collaboration between occupiers.
Its location on Botley Road makes it the only commercial science building within walking distance of Oxford Station and the city centre, offering strong public transport, cycling and Park & Ride connections.
Founded in 2017, Mission Street has built a UK-wide science property portfolio totalling around 1.5 million sq ft. and recently secured a £180 million loan to support future developments. Its partnership with BGO is focused on life sciences projects across the ‘golden triangle’ of Oxford, Cambridge and London.
The Fabrica development aligns with the UK government’s ambitions for the Oxford–Cambridge growth corridor, which aims to position the region as a global hub for science, technology and innovation, and to drive wider economic growth.
Neil Brook, Group Construction Director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said:
“We are delighted to have been appointed as the construction partner for this exciting and innovative lab, office, and collaboration space in the heart of Oxford, strengthening our existing relationship with Mission Street and BGO in the rapidly evolving life sciences sector.
“Our teams approached this project collaboratively from the start, allowing us to complete the tender process in just 10 weeks. We look forward to starting on-site at the end of May with a 96-week programme.”
