The Broers Building is located within the University of Cambridge’s 165 acre West Cambridge site, within the City boundary. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre and developed by Turnstone in 2009/10, through close collaboration with the University, it is an impressive four storey, R & D office building occupied by companies engaged in commercial research and development, including Nokia, Elektron, Avidity IP, Maplesoft, Metaswitch, ICP London, Comsol, Enthought Ltd and Base 4.
Developed by Turnstone as part of the Hauser Forum, the focal point for entrepreneurship in the East of England, the building was designed to stimulate innovative collaboration between academics, start ups and already established businesses. The Hauser Forum which was developed for University by Turnstone is home to Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Network, the IdeaSpace Enterprise Accelerator, as well as the Seminar Centre and West Café.
Chris Goldsmith, Managing Director of Turnstone Estates says: “The Broers Building marked a new stage in the development of the West Cambridge site and the University’s ambitious plans to expand and compete on an international level. This was the first time they had collaborated closely with a commercial developer and we were delighted to build such an innovative and technically advanced building and to sell it on to the University with such an impressive range of tenants.”
“The building currently provides the only opportunity for R&D companies, from early stage to multi nationals, to benefit from on-site proximity and easy access for networking and collaboration with the academics, researchers and students working on the West Cambridge site. The opportunity to acquire the building provided the University will the dual benefit of being able to facilitate potential or current collaborative partners and additional investment income”.
The University has outline consent for a further approx. 300,000 sq ft of commercial R&D space on the West Cambridge site under the master plan which is expected to increase following the current review process.
Januarys and Cushman &Wakefield acted for Nafield in the sale. The University were represented by Creative Places and GVA.
Turnstone: Established in 1989, Turnstone is one of the most active and dynamic property companies in the south east of England.
Specialising in the office, retail and leisure sectors, Turnstone is both a development and investment company, combining professional expertise in the property industry with independent financial resources and project funding.
Creative Places: Creative Places is a leading property consultancy focused on creating and shaping business environments that enhance innovation and enterprise, whether they be Science Parks, Biomedical Campuses, urban districts or Innovation Centres. www.creativeplaces.com
*******
Press enquiries:
Ian Purvis Porterfield PR Tel: 020 7647 4420 M: 07771 993926
ian@porterfield.co.uk
Carol Pawsey Creative Places Tel: 01223 229352
carol.pawsey@creativeplaces.com
__________________________________________________________