Construction is imminent on Mission Street‘s 180,000 sq ft Fabrica scheme in Oxford.

The developer has announced its construction partner Bowmer + Kirkland will begjn in May following the completion of groundworks and site preparation by Colemans.

The Botley Road scheme, designed for science and innovation companies, is expected to complete in early 2027.

There will be more than 7,000 sq ft of amenity space including a food and beverage offer, open to the public.

It is the first commercial science building in the UK to target a BREEAM outstanding and will have EPC A and WiredScore Platinum certification. It will also be Oxford’s first living wage building, where occupiers are required to pay staff the Oxford living wage.

Bowmer + Kirkland will engage the local workforce in the scheme’s construction as part of its procurement commitments.

Colin Brown, development director at Mission Street, said: “Following a collaborative, positive procurement process, Bowmer + Kirkland will shortly take forward the science and innovation sector’s biggest construction start of 2025 so far.

“As science companies increasingly look to central Oxford for its extensive amenities and unrivalled transport connections, which will include the future link to East West Rail, Fabrica’s delivery represents a major vote of confidence in the UK market.”

Fabrica marks the second phase of Oxford’s Central Science District, following the completion of Mission Street and BGO’s Inventa scheme in 2024. Both schemes replaced retail warehouses.

Neil Brook, group construction director for 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.”

The joint venture between Mission Street and BGO has a wider pipeline of 1.5 million sq ft across the UK’s prime science and innovation districts in Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol.

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