ARC Oxford Breaks Ground on 105,000 sq. ft Landmark Lab & Office Development
Construction of ARC Oxford’s 105,000 sq. ft landmark lab & office development has officially commenced, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony held at the city campus.
The event was attended by Baroness Nicola Blackwood, Leader of Oxford City Council, Susan Brown, and local MP Anneliese Dodds, alongside ARC’s Managing Director Jim Stretton, representatives from the campus, and construction and development group Bowmer + Kirkland.
Ascent, which received planning permission earlier this year, is a new state-of-the-art facility for the science, technology and innovation sector, designed to accelerate innovation. Once operation, the development is estimated to create approximately 500 jobs and contribute £38 million GVA to the economy annually.
Baroness Nicola Blackwood, said: “It’s great to see this kind of investment into the ARC Oxford campus. Creating flexible spaces and providing the support to help early-stage science and tech companies scale here in Oxfordshire is vita to sustaining our world-leading innovation ecosystem.”
Ascent will sit at the heart of ARC Oxford’s innovation cluster, surrounded by over 30 pioneering organisations including OMass Therapeutics, which is identifying new medicines against highly validated but inadequately drugged targets, and Ivy Farm, which is leading the UK’s cultivated meat revolution.
Jim Stretton, Managing Director of ARC, added: “The transformation of ARC Oxford into a leading innovation campus has been a catalyst for growth in the area. The development of Ascent will help out members thrive, by creating space for collaboration, attracting new talent and investment and strengthening Oxford’s position as global leader in science and technology.”
Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “This project shows how innovation and inclusive economic growth can go hand in hand. The new jobs and skills supported by the Ascent development will directly benefit local communities and strengthen Oxford’s role in the regional and national economy.”
Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, said: “The city of Oxford and its people have huge potential. To be able to unlock that potential we need to make sure that we’re ready to seize opportunities. Projects like the Cowley Branch Line and developments like Ascent will link local people and their talent to opportunities, whilst supporting businesses in finding the skills they need.”
Located in Oxford, the campus offers ARC members, from pioneering biotech firms like OMass Therapeutics to global leaders such as Gilead and Oxford Biomedica, unrivalled access to collaboration opportunities. They benefit from close proximity to world-class research hospitals, including the John Radcliffe, Churchill, and Nuffield Orthopaedic, as well as the University of Oxford, renowned for generating more spin-outs than any other institution worldwide.
ARC Oxford is part of ARC’s network of clusters, including Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, ARC West London and ARC Uxbridge. ARC’s campuses were also recently named Workspace of the Year at the Hustle Awards, recognising ARC’s strong focus on inclusivity and commitment to reimagining how science and real estate intersect to build a better future by fostering collaboration and growth while prioritising accessibility and community needs.
