Abstract's completed Phase One building of the South Cambridge Science Centre, finished on April 29, 2025. This flexible laboratory accommodation provides 138,454 sq. ft. of much-needed lab space for life sciences and biotechnology companies in Cambridge.
Mark Glatman's Abstract Securities has announced that its associated company, Abstract Mid-Tech Limited, has completed the first phase of South Cambridge Science Centre (SCSC). The facility is a new state-of-the-art development, aimed at life sciences and biotechnology occupiers.
The three-storey science centre comprising 138,454 sq. ft. – the highest specified space of its kind in Cambridge - was completed on time and within budget to an advanced shell and core specification; enabling the space to be quickly fitted out to the specific requirements of occupiers.
The South Cambridge Science Centre is purpose-built to support the full range of scientific and laboratory applications, offering market-leading vibration control and fume hood capabilities. The facility is a highly sustainable, net zero carbon development designed to evolve alongside changing scientific needs over its significant design life.
There is parking for 395 cars and 245 bicycle spaces. A fully consented second Phase of 44,650 sq. ft. is planned to follow.
Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract, said: “We have seen a lot of activity in Cambridge from building owners looking to refurbish and repurpose older property stock from offices to laboratory use to try and exploit changing market dynamics when demand for offices has been weak. Inevitably, this compromise approach cannot come anywhere close to the performance or indeed the lifespan of a well thought through, purpose-built science scheme designed to provide many years of flexibility such as SCSC.
“I am confident that there is no better specified science building than SCSC in Cambridge. The building can be subdivided in a number of ways and accommodate the full range of occupier requirements.
“Not only have we delivered much needed new science and technology lab space within the South Cambridge Cluster but, our very low land price means we have created the best accommodation at a much lower rental than competing developments across the Cambridge market.
“A complex planning regime, and difficulties in parts of Cambridge with provision of water, power and suitable highways infrastructure will continue to limit supply and so we anticipate that SCSC will be very well received.”
Christopher McPherson, Development Director of Abstract Securities, said: “We are very proud of SCSC which has been a collaborative design effort from our highly experienced team to ensure we maximise the flexibility of our speculative development. We can accommodate the full spectrum of science occupiers, and all their needs. This includes wet labs or dry labs, biology or chemistry, or any other related uses. In addition, the leading vibration standard across the development, allows the operation of very sensitive or heavy equipment at all levels in the building, and we can offer significant fume hood provision if needed.
“Alongside the completion of SCSC, the adjacent ‘mid tech’ scheme at Accelerator Park completes shortly and provides further evidence of the transition of the wider Dales Manor area into a new science destination in South Cambridge providing a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional locations in Cambridge.’’
Michael Laird are architects for the development and Bowmer & Kirkland are the main contractor.
DTRE, Bidwells, and Newmark are retained letting agents for the South Cambridge Science Centre.
For information about the building or the second phase, please contact:
Mark Glatman (mark.glatman@abstractsecurities.com) or
Christopher McPherson (christopher.mcpherson@abstractsecurities.com )
-Ends-
For media information, please contact:
Pauline Gregory, Pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com /07833 490964 or
Lisa Mennie, lisa@skylarkpublicrelations.com/ 07825 225414
Editor’s notes:-
The South Cambridge Science Centre received detailed planning consent in March 2023, was developed on a 5 acre brownfield site in Sawston with construction commencing on 4th September 2023 and completed on 29 April 2025. SCSC offers easy access from Cambridge City Centre (just six miles away) and close to Babraham Research Park, Granta Park and Unity Campus - an established cluster of South Cambridge life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and research occupiers. Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Cambridge Biomedical Campus are within a 15 minute drive. The new building is Net Zero Carbon in operation; BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and has an EPC rating of ‘A’. It also achieves WiredScore Platinum, CyclingScore Platinum and is SmartScore Enabled.
Established in April 2000 by Mark Glatman, the Abstract Group of Companies specialises in commercial property development and venture capital financing. The management team at Abstract is highly experienced at working directly with major property owners and corporate end users, and has developed in excess of 1.6 million sq ft of new office buildings across the UK in the last 7 years, providing new offices for companies including Babcock plc, KPMG, Aker Solutions, Virgin Atlantic, Pension Protection Fund, Zurich UK, and Wood plc, amongst others.