Inventa and Fabrica

The site

Mission Street and BGO are delivering the first two commercial sciences developments in the West End.

The schemes comprise Inventa, a ‘next-generation’ development comprising 65,000 sq ft of lab, office and collaboration space which completed in January 2024 and Fabrica, a 180,000 sq ft new-build scheme which gained planning consent in December 2023 and will commence construction later in 2024.

The schemes will be the first to be delivered in West End which is due to quickly establish itself as Oxford’s new and most central innovation quarter, providing walkable access to Oxford station, the University and the city centre amenities.

The opportunity

Mission Street first identified the West End as having the ingredients for a prime urban innovation district in 2020 having engaged with the landowner of what is now Inventa.

Based on global trends and recent occupational research, science occupiers are increasingly favouring ‘Urban Innovation Districts’ whereby companies and employees benefit from connectivity and environments with rich amenity. This represents a shift from traditional out-of-town Science Parks to central, urban locations with access to major public transport links, academia, vibrant social scenes and leisure facilities.

The Botley Road and the wider West End uniquely provides an opportunity to fulfil the criteria of urban innovation; it has ability for scale (potential for c. 2.5 million sq ft of commercial and academic accommodation across Oxpens, Osney Mead and the Botley Road), a 10-minute walk to Oxford Station and walkable access to the city centre’s globally renowned cultural and academic offerings. The proximity to Oxford station provides great access to over 14M people within 1 hour train journey including London, Bristol, Birmingham and the soon to be opened East West line connecting through to Milton Keynes, Bletchley (2025) and, in due course, Cambridge.

The two schemes have been designed with a focus on the future, pushing the boundaries for sustainable development. Key achievements and commitments for Fabrica include:

• Oxford’s first ‘Living Wage’ building – mandating all employees within the building to be on Living Wage or higher
• Community Employment Plan submitted alongside the planning application, setting out commitments to partnerships with apprenticeship training providers and employment and skills providers
• Local employment and procurement commitments to ensure contractor and sub-contractors can engage local workforce throughout construction
• Providing new café/ restaurant for the public and occupiers, breaking down tangible barriers typically associated with science buildings to realise ‘Science on Show’
• Ongoing programme of schools engagement to inspire future generations to consider careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths)
• Developing community partnerships during design and construction phases to enable long-term value to be embedded in the operation of the scheme

Progress

Inventa is now available and comprises a new 65,000 sq ft laboratory and office building capable of providing self-contained suites from 4,000 sq ft upwards

Mission Street will be announcing the first occupiers for Inventa shortly.

A resolution to grant planning permission for Fabrica was made by Oxford City Council’s Planning Committee in December 2023. Construction is anticipated to commence in mid 2024 and will comprise a total of 180,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space over 5 floors including a roof top terrace and generous collaboration space. The scheme is due for delivery in early 2026.