Chesterford Research Park

Chesterford Research Park

Little Chesterford
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB10 1XL

ABOUT

“Chesterford stood out due to its location within the cluster, convenient access to major road, rail and air routes and proximity to some of the biggest pharma players in the industry.” 

Yichen Shi, CEO, Axol Bioscience

Building on over 60 years of continuous research and development, Chesterford Research Park is now home to innovative biotechs and speciality pharmaceutical and technology companies such as Charles River Laboratories, Diagnostics for the Real World, Illumina and Isogenica.  The Park community amasses an impressive number of alliances, collaborations and successful funding rounds each year, all of which contribute to Chesterford’s undeniable reputation as a thriving centre for life science discovery within the Cambridge biotech cluster.

Underpinning these successes is a Park environment that offers a flexible range of accommodation, ideally suited to companies at all stages of their development and a highly supportive Park management team, who truly understand tenants’ short and long term objectives.  Set within 250 acres of idyllic parkland near Cambridge, the low-density development at Chesterford is ideally positioned to further tenants’ success.

Developed with vision

The partnership of the joint developers, The Churchmanor Estates Company plc and Aviva Investors, combines development, design and construction experience with financial strength, providing occupiers with confidence that their needs are not only understood but also delivered.  The Park team is committed to delivering an environment designed to nurture and encourage growth for tenant companies via the provision of first class, flexible scientific facilities and high tech office, meeting and conferencing space. 

With a masterplan for around 900,000 sq ft and where approximately 300,000 sq ft of laboratory and R&D space is already occupied, the 250 acre low density scheme provides high quality accommodation in an attractive, landscaped environment served by state-of-the-art amenities – ideal for science and technology based companies of all sizes.

Perfectly positioned

The South Cambridge biotech cluster has established itself as one of Europe’s strongest knowledge-based locations and being part of this cluster offers substantial opportunities to both the start up and more established tenants at Chesterford.  Proximity to Cambridge University’s world leading research, access to capital via established investor networks and a source of highly skilled, specialist staff has kept the cluster at the forefront of global life science development.  Chesterford tenants are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this wider community to further their own success.

The peaceful setting allows tenants to concentrate on the delivery of groundbreaking research without the distraction and congestion of an urban location whilst also enjoying excellent communications with key UK and international markets, affording easy access for tenants, their employees and visitors.

Bespoke design and build

The Chesterford team is expertly positioned to work collaboratively with occupiers to create unique buildings that put the advancement of research at the heart of the process.  The latest building to be completed is the Robinson Building, now occupied by Charles River Laboratories.

Charles River Laboratories provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. The organisation is focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients that need them.

The Robinson Building enabled Charles River Laboratories to consolidate all its operations into one state of the art facility and bring the whole team together under one roof.  The design and build of the 60,000 sq ft Robinson Building was a true collaboration between the Park developers and the client.

Comprising of two wings, linked by a stunning two-storey atrium with landscaped courtyard behind, the building is further enhanced by extensive green landscaping, allowing it to sit unobtrusively within the Park’s naturally beautiful surroundings. The design of the building is synonymous with the contemporary styling consistently adopted at Chesterford, where every bespoke build is designed to suit its particular location within the 250 acre parkland site, whilst staying true to the very specific internal functions required of R&D buildings.  Both external and internal finishes favour natural materials and tones as a foil to the landscaped surroundings.

The Robinson Building unites the majority of Charles River Laboratories’ drug discovery groups, affording the organisation a unique position amongst drug discovery contract research organisations for the support of integrated projects.

Flexible and scaleable

The diverse nature of the current buildings at Chesterford Research Park, from bespoke laboratory spaces such as the Robinson Building, to the smaller individual office suites of the Mansion House, has created a Park that can truly offer flexibility and scalability of space for companies of all sizes, with smaller R&D companies fairing particularly well alongside the major players in the industry.

The Science Village building at Chesterford continues the tradition of innovative development. Providing the ideal HQ for both established and start-up companies which need flexible, high quality and prestigious self-contained accommodation, Science Village offers individual R&D suites ranging from 1,515 sq ft to 1,993 sq ft, plus excellent scalability by combining spaces for larger occupation.  The fully fitted accommodation, features an open plan write up/admin area, plus a self-contained single office/meeting room, with each suite supported by its own independent, dedicated external plant area.  Extensive facilities that provide current tenants such as Axol Bioscience, Diagnostics for the Real World and Isomerase the space from which to develop the next generation of scientific discoveries.

This flexibility of approach is further illustrated by the inspired refurbishment of the stunning Victorian Mansion House building. The number and varying size of the individual rooms ideally meets the needs of companies in the SME and start-up sectors and this space is always popular.

An inspirational, productive environment

A supportive and nurturing environment attracts the right businesses, helps occupiers to recruit the best people and facilitates really productive networking. Understanding this has influenced the development of the Park in many ways. A key element was the construction of The Nucleus, a 22,000 sq ft central facilities building which has transformed the Park community.  Tenants benefit from top quality meeting and conference facilities, plus a café bar, restaurant and state-of-the-art fitness centre. There is also a useful cash machine.

Designed with extensive use of glass throughout, The Nucleus is full of natural light enhancing the open feel of the space. All sizes of meetings and conferences can be accommodated, from groups of 12 up to 200 people. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and each meeting room and conference space has high quality audio-visual equipment. Breakout space with wonderful views is available for coffee or informal discussions.

The Nucleus restaurant, in a relaxing, modern environment, boasts an extensive selection of hot and cold food to suit everyone’s tastes and attracts both occupiers and visitors on a daily basis. On warmer days, diners can eat alfresco on the terrace surrounded by the attractive green landscaping, or if choosing to remain inside, can also enjoy a range of hot and cold beverages in the café next to the restaurant.

The Nucleus is also home to a fully air-conditioned health and fitness centre. Managed by experienced fitness professionals it offers the latest cardiovascular and resistance machines and a popular free-weights area. There are also a number of daily classes available.

Chesterford Research Park is a location truly designed for discovery. High quality R&D space, set in tranquil and beautiful parkland with superb amenities on site and 24-hour security. Everything a team needs to innovate, share ideas, network with peers and deliver truly outstanding science.

Current occupiers include:

  • Axol Bioscience
  • Charles River Laboratories
  • Cellcentric
  • Diagnostics for the Real World
  • Illumina Inc
  • Isogenica Ltd
  • Isomerase
  • Oncologica
  • UKSPA
  • Xenovium

www.chesterfordresearchpark.com

PROPERTIES

Science Village

An ideal HQ for both established and start-up companies, The Science Village offers companies flexible, high quality and prestigious self-contained accommodation.

The innovative, energy efficient building offers individual R&D suites from 1,515 sq ft to 1,993 sq ft, plus excellent flexibility by combining spaces for larger occupation.

William Clarke, Savills
Telephone: 01223 347 294
Email me

Michael Jones, Dodson Jones
Telephone: 01223 358 114
Email me

Pre-Let Opportunities

Park occupiers enjoy unique and idyllic surroundings coupled with modern facilities and state-of-the-art accommodation.

With a masterplan for around 600,000 sq ft, of which approximately 300,000 sq ft is already occupied, there are a variety of sites available for new, bespoke laboratory and research and development buildings at Chesterford. To understand how we approach each new build, explore our Design Guide. See for yourself and be inspired…

William Clarke, Savills
Telephone: 01223 347 294
Email me

Michael Jones, Dodson Jones
Telephone: 01223 358 114
Email me

The Mansion House

Situated at the heart of the Park, The Mansion House is an impressive, sympathetically refurbished period building.

Designed to provide a series of flexible offices suites the building offers ample on-site parking for both staff and visitors.

William Clarke, Savills
Telephone: 01223 347 294
Email me

Michael Jones, Dodson Jones
Telephone: 01223 358 114
Email me

Future Development

A variety of sites are available for new laboratory and research and development buildings.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss an initial brief in order to prepare a proposal providing the following:

Preliminary site layout.
Indicative floor plans.
Outline specification.
Construction programme.
Draft financial terms.

 

William Clarke, Savills
Telephone: 01223 347 294
Email me

Michael Jones, Dodson Jones
Telephone: 01223 358 114
Email me

CONFERENCE FACILITIES

Nucleus Building - Conference and Events

Flexible, Professional, Inspiring

The modern, award winning Nucleus building at the heart of our country park complete with 19th century Mansion, lakes and arboretum is the ideal conferencing space. Combining effortlessly to cater for up to 200 guests the adaptable conferencing space, fine dining area and contemporary bar are ideal for corporate events.

Amanda Newman, Events Executive
Telephone: 01799 532 263
amanda.newman@eu.jll.com

NEWS

 

Chesterford Research Park welcomes ambitious new biotech firm

Chesterford Research Park has announced that Constructive Bio has joined the Park’s highly regarded multi-occupier R&D building, Science Village. The Cambridge-born start-up, which has recently closed a $15 million (£12.45 million) seed funding...

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