Client Challenges

Cambridge Biomedical Campus is home to the world renowned Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University's School of Clinical Medicine, Cancer Research UK and other research institutes. Following a tender process, Cambridge Medipark Ltd (CML - a JV between Countryside plc and Liberty Property Trust) were appointed to develop and market the property to R&D businesses and research occupiers. CML wanted to ensure the project was marketed effectively to attract high quality research institutions and businesses in order to recover their investment in securing planning and in introducing infrastructure.

Our Solutions

We advised CML that in order to maximise the potential for the development it was essential to work with the research base to promote the project to R&D businesses. Our experience is that this “inside-out” marketing is essential for R&D property projects in order to cover all the potential demand for the project and even to create demand that might not otherwise exist. We worked to identify key champions who could ensure the location provided maximum added value to businesses wishing to locate there.

Results

Development is taking place at a considerable pace with a higher rate of take up than achieved by other leading UK science parks. Alongside the MRC's 25,200 sq m Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Astra Zeneca are now building their 80,000 sq m global HQ and a major R&D facility here and other demand means that planning permission will now be sought on further land 10 years earlier than expected.