Office space rental agency Bruntwood SciTech’s masterplan for Manchester Science Park hit a major milestone this week after its £21m development, Base, reached practical completion.
Led by main contractor Caddick Construction, work on the five-storey, 91,000ft2 net zero development started in December 2020 and it has been completed a few weeks after its pre-pandemic predicted completion date.
Base is designed both for companies working in the Industry 4.0 tech sector and for those training the next generation of highly skilled professionals supporting such businesses.
This includes those working in low carbon, light manufacturing, computer and energy technology, gaming, and animation.
The facility offers a mix of office space and a dedicated workshop for the prototyping of new, or modifying existing products, as well as the capacity to incorporate bespoke lab space if requested by business moving in.
Bradley Topps, commercial director at Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, said: “Base will play a significant role in supporting the growth of Manchester’s knowledge economy and will become a new specialist hub in the city, building on the region’s internationally recognised tech and manufacturing cluster.
“We have a sustained commitment to investing in Manchester’s knowledge infrastructure for science and tech businesses and look forward to an official opening of Base in a few months time.”
Base is the first major redevelopment at Manchester Science Park to incorporate a number of sustainability measures designed to enable the building to operate at net zero carbon across common areas.
Measures include 704m2 of PV solar power that is expected to generate around 114MWh of electricity per year and a hybrid heating and cooling system with a reduction in refrigerant gases, resulting in low emissions and optimised energy consumption.
What’s more, over 360m2 of carpet has been recycled, of which 60% has been reused as flooring finishes, with the remainder turned into energy through a waste-to-energy facility.
According to Bruntwood SciTech, these measures will help to reduce the building’s carbon footprint by 22% and have supported the building in achieving an EPC A rating.
The development of Base is supported by a £15.5m loan from development debt provider North West Evergreen Fund.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority also awarded a £4m construction grant in support of the city-region’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
