Oxford North, the state-of-the-art, flagship new global innovation district for Oxford, which has consent for circa a million sq ft (92,903 sq m)of newly developed, versatile lab and workplace lodging, has been officially opened by Lord Hague of Richmond, Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
With a £1.2 billion gross growth worth, the district is being delivered by Oxford North Ventures, a three way partnership (JV) between Thomas White Oxford, the event firm of St John’s College; Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, a number one global investor; and growth and asset supervisor Stanhope.
Underscoring the JV’s dedication to the UK science and technology sectors, it offers a blueprint for the way state-of-the-art innovation property, conceptualised and designed primarily based on global insights and in proximity to world-leading educational establishments, can allow the following century of life- altering discoveries.
Oxford North will cater to the entire science, technology and AI ecosystem, from start-ups and spinouts by to global giants, providing the total lifecycle of area, from fitted labs and turnkey options by to grow-on area and bespoke buildings. The growth is well-positioned to seize the rising demand from overseas spectrum of firms, led by these in the AI, quantum computing, biotech and meals tech sectors, to assist assist the expansion of the UK’s life science, technology and innovation industries.
The just lately accomplished 158,500 sq ft (14,725 sq m) Phase 1A contains: two purpose-built laboratory buildings providing models from 2,000 sq ft up to 56,000 sq ft, together with 13,500 sq ft that’s being fitted out and shall be out there in December; in addition to The Red Hall, totalling 33,000 sq ft of workspace over 4 flooring.
The scheme has been introduced to life by Fletcher Priest Architects, one of many largest structure and design practices in the UK. Sitting on the intersection of academia, commerce and expertise, Oxford North options fastidiously curated public realm, positioning it as Oxford’s solely ‘seven-day-a-week’ science and technology-led group.
25,000 sq m of amenity area will embody an 80-seat café, 100-seat city corridor and touch-down co-working area, a central 2,000 sq m sq., in addition to Fallaize Park, a two-acre public park that includes Your planetary meeting, the primary everlasting public work in the UK by world-renowned Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson. Consisting of eight glass polyhedrons impressed by fashions of the photo voltaic system, it’s paying homage to the orreries on the University of Oxford’s History of Science Museum.
Sustainability is embedded into the scheme’s design, to make sure the supply of constructive native environmental and social advantages, with an ambition to push past standard observe to ship a ‘net positive’ growth. Since August 2021, greater than 2,000 building personnel have been engaged on the location, together with over 50 apprentices, and the district is forecast to boost the economic system by £150 million per 12 months in GVA.
Oxford North is ideally situated only a 15-minute cycle from town centre, while its proximity to Oxford Parkway Station, which is strategically positioned on the East West Rail hall, coupled with its arterial benefits, will present occupiers, guests and residents with unrivalled multimodal connectivity. With 343,000 individuals who can commute to Oxford inside 30-minutes journey time, and 1.8 million individuals of working age residing inside a 60 minute drive, it boasts enviable entry to the area’s sturdy expertise pool.
Oxford is a world-renowned centre for analysis excellence and residential to the best focus of science analysis amenities in Western Europe. Oxford North is located in shut proximity to a number of world-class analysis and scientific establishment. This consists of the University of Oxford, which has produced essentially the most unicorn founders in Europe and accounts for 30% (£5.7 billion) of all of the capital raised by college spin-outs, the best share of any UK college.
Lord Hague of Richmond, Chancellor, University of Oxford, stated: “We’re here to celebrate this iconic addition to the region’s innovation landscape. Oxford is a unique hub with an exceptional 900-year history, and is synonymous with life-changing scientific and technological breakthroughs. The continued investment into next generation infrastructure and inclusive opportunities such as Oxford North means this an exciting time to be part of this city.”
Jenny Hammarlund, Senior Managing Director, Real Estate, EMEA at Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan, stated: “We are delighted to have launched Oxford North and to be bringing a new innovation district to Oxford and the life sciences, technology and AI community, which will help meet growing demand to aid research, commercialise innovations and attract top talent to the sector. Oxford North has all the components to be one of the UK’s leading incubators for the discoveries that will shape the rest of this century. Alongside our partners, we look forward to leveraging our deep track record supporting the full business ecosystem, from early-stage innovation hubs to scale-up opportunities, to ensure its success.”
Professor Lady Sue Black, Baroness Black of Strome President of St John’s College, stated: “Today is a significant milestone for Oxford on the world stage, celebrating StJohn’s joint investment to create a place to connect local academia, research and the most innovative start-ups and companies in our ecosystem. This will help to retain the exceptional talent in the city and to create opportunities for inclusive growth. There is a unique opportunity for Oxford North occupiers to engage with academia and business as part of Oxford’s thriving innovation ecosystem and vibrant spin-out culture.
“Most importantly, this is a new place for everyone, reflecting the original vision of Oxford City Council to create a new district for Oxford, knitted into the city and fully connected to its surroundings. This. vision is coming to life through Engage, our art, culture, social value and legacy programme, to integrate into the community and inspire pupils and students to become future scientists, innovators and technologists.”
David Camp, CEO of Stanhope, added: “We are creating one of the UK’s most exciting, dynamic and vibrant mixed use communities that enables businesses of all shapes and sizes to flourish side by side. With an improving funding outlook – VC investment into UK life science companies is expected to exceed £3.7 billion this year, the highest amount since 2021 – Oxford North is being delivered at the opportune time, and will address the unsatisfied demand for laboratory space in the UK from both domestic and international businesses.
“Crucially, it also benefits from the unique consortium behind its delivery, which combines long-term, stable capital, significant science and technology expertise, market-leading development management capabilities and deep local stakeholder knowledge and investment. This single ownership structure improves long-term investment and ensures that the quality of accommodation, public realm and amenities is maintained.”
Oxford North’s launch programme has included an occasion held on Tuesday 30 September with 200 of Oxford’s science, tech and innovation ecosystem, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, with visitor of honour Lord Hague of Richmond.
Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, despatched a pre-recorded video celebrating Oxford’s function in discovery and thanking the companions for delivering such a spot for future innovation and discovery.
World main human geneticist Professor Dame Kay Davies chaired the occasion entitled: “Intersecting worlds: how the fusion of academia, industry, science, technology, place and public art fosters community and sparks innovation driving technological advancements for society.”
Dave Coplin, former chief envisioning officer at Microsoft UK and creator of ‘Business Reimagined: why work isn’t working and what you are able to do about it’, and “The Rise of Humans: how to outsmart the digital deluge’ was the keynote speaker.
This was followed by a panel discussion with Professor Peter Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer, Genomics Plc, Dame Alison Nimmo, and Holly Broughton, Curator, Communities, Practice and Participation, Modern Art Oxford.
Oxford North’s public events programme includes: “In conversation with Olafur Eliasson” being held on Wednesday 1 October 2025, and, as a part of IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival, on Friday 24 October as Oxford North will play host to “Zone One”, a hands-on interactive space the place individuals shall be invited to participate in experiments and demonstrations, assembly pleasant specialists and expertise Your planetary meeting, which can embody a guided journey by the Solar System with a brand new present from Creation Theatre.
Acting on behalf of Oxford North Ventures are Fletcher Priest Architects, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Buro Happold, Savills, Turner Townsend Alinea, Gardiner & Theobald, Hoare Lea, Stantec, AKT II, BSG Ecology, Contemporary Art Society Consultancy and Storey Consulting.