Plans to transform the former Debenhams building in central Oxford into 100,000 square feet of laboratory and innovation space have been approved by Oxford City Council.
The redevelopment of 1–12 Magdalen Street will create new facilities for science, innovation and technology businesses, with construction expected to begin in the first half of 2027 and completion targeted for 2029.
The project is being led by The Crown Estate in partnership with Pioneer Group and Oxford Science Enterprises.
In addition to laboratory space, the development will include conference and events facilities, with a dedicated ‘Showcase Lab’ designed to help make science and innovation more visible to younger audiences and local communities.
The partnership has also announced plans for a STEM outreach programme, which will work alongside Oxford City Council to bring local school groups into the development and encourage interest in future careers in science and technology.
Kristy Lansdown, managing director for development at The Crown Estate, said: “1-12 Magdalen Street will deliver world class science facilities in the heart of the city – a place with not only a rich cultural history, but one that is entrenched in the history of science and progress.
“Alongside our outstanding partners at Pioneer Group and OSE, we are committed to creating a best-in-class lab space for innovative start-ups and scale-ups that will strengthen Oxford’s appeal to the wider sector and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.”
Harry Pickering, portfolio director and head of UK real estate at Pioneer Group, said: “Securing planning permission for 1–12 Magdalen Street is a significant milestone in transforming a prominent Oxford city centre site into a new home for science and innovation.”
Pete Wilder, head of property and operations at Oxford Science Enterprises, added that the project would help meet growing demand for centrally located laboratory space while allowing science and technology businesses to remain closely connected to Oxford’s academic environment.
The development represents an initial investment of around £125 million and forms part of The Crown Estate’s wider £1.5 billion investment strategy in science, innovation and technology over the next 15 years.
