Cambridge Biomedical Campus expansion reaches major milestone with completion of 2000 Discovery

The expansion of Cambridge Biomedical Campus has reached another major milestone with the completion of 2000 Discovery Drive.

Designed by Scott Brownrigg for campus developer Prologis, the speculative six-storey building provides 112,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space, further strengthening the campus’s position as a leading destination for life sciences innovation and research.

Building on the success of the recently completed and fully let 1000 Discovery Drive, the building has been designed to meet the evolving needs of life sciences occupiers, with flexible floorplates capable of accommodating up to two tenants per floor and configured as approximately 60% laboratory and 40% office accommodation.

British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company GSK has been announced as the future occupier. The building will form part of GSK’s new 300,000 sq ft R&D centre at Cambridge Biomedical Campus, supporting research in oncology, respiratory, hepatology, vaccines and HIV. Complementing the wider campus masterplan, 2000 Discovery Drive has been designed to support research, innovation and collaboration within a connected, people-focused environment. At its heart, a highly innovative semi-sunken

CycleParc provides secure parking for 450 bicycles beneath a landscaped courtyard. The clear-spanning torus-formed structure creates a high-quality landscape that promotes wellbeing, community interaction and sustainable travel.

Targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the building follows a fabric-first sustainability approach, incorporating aluminium louvres, green roofs and rooftop photovoltaic panels as part of a wider all-electric energy strategy.

Ross McWatt, Head of Scott Brownrigg’s Life Sciences sector said:

“Working alongside Prologis and the wider team on 2000 Discovery Drive has allowed us to create a highly flexible and adaptable building tailored to the evolving demands of the Science and R&D sector. By rigorously evaluating the needs of future occupiers, we have delivered a scheme that is both market-responsive and future-focused. It has been rewarding to realise a refined architectural building that contributes positively to the wider Phase 2 masterplan.”

Together with 1000 Discovery Drive, the new building helps meet demand for specialist life sciences space while supporting scientific discovery and improved health outcomes locally, nationally and globally.