Citylabs 4.0

Citylabs 4.0 represents the latest phase in expanding Manchester’s health innovation ecosystem, situated within the Oxford Road Corridor—Europe’s largest clinical-academic campus. The objective was to create a 125,000 sq ft facility tailored to the specific needs of life sciences businesses, including advanced laboratories and office spaces. The challenge lay in delivering a building that met stringent technical requirements for bioscience research while achieving ambitious sustainability goals, all within a live hospital environment.

G&T provided Cost Management and Employer’s Agent services for the £42 million development, working alongside Bruntwood SciTech and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Designed by Sheppard Robson, the seven-storey building includes containment level 1 and 2 laboratories, enhanced cooling systems, increased floor loading capacities and a large platform lift to accommodate specialist equipment. Sustainability was integral to the project, with the building achieving net-zero carbon in construction and operation of shared spaces, an EPC A rating and incorporating 208m² of solar panels and cladding made from 75% recycled aluminium.

Completed in March 2025, Citylabs 4.0 has become a cornerstone of Manchester’s life sciences sector, providing state-of-the-art facilities for companies in diagnostics, medtech, digital health and genomics. The building fosters industry and the NHS collaboration, offering businesses direct access to clinical resources and research opportunities. G&T’s involvement ensured the project was delivered on time, within budget and to the highest sustainability and technical excellence standards.