CityLabs 2.0

Bruntwood SciTech, in partnership with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), aimed to expand the CityLabs campus by developing a new facility dedicated to precision medicine and health innovation. The challenge was to transform a former car park within the Oxford Road Corridor into a 92,000 sq ft, six-storey building offering flexible office, laboratory and clinical space. The project needed to meet high sustainability standards, accommodate complex laboratory requirements and be delivered on time and within budget, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

G&T provided Cost Management and Construction & Property Tax Advice services throughout the development of CityLabs 2.0, ensuring financial control and value for money. Working closely with the design team, we helped to manage costs associated with the building's specialised requirements, including advanced MEP systems to support laboratory operations and a high-performance façade featuring digitally printed glass for solar shading. The building was designed by Sheppard Robson and constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine, with our cost management expertise contributing to the project's successful delivery.

CityLabs 2.0 is now the Global Centre of Excellence for Precision Medicine for QIAGEN, a leading life sciences and diagnostics company. The facility has created and supported up to 1,500 jobs, contributing almost £150 million to Manchester's economy over the next decade. G&T's comprehensive cost management ensured the successful delivery of a complex project that balances cutting-edge laboratory facilities with sustainable design and economic impact.