First new build for Sciontec to meet Liverpool lab space demand
Sciontec Developments is to embark on its first new build development at Liverpool City Council’s flagship development site, Paddington Village.
Sciontec, which owns Liverpool Science Park and manages the shared workspace at The Spine, has updated plans for a new building called Hemisphere which will include 50,000 sq ft of data, bio and innovation labs.
The move is to high meet demand for Chemistry and Life Sciences labs within the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district.
All existing commercial labs at Liverpool Science Park are continuing to operate at full capacity, so Hemisphere, which received initial planning consent at the end of 2022, will now comprise of purpose-built laboratory space equating to half of the building, providing a bespoke home for commercial and academic laboratories.
The new build will also feature an events space, a coffee shop, networking lounge and wellness studio.
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Growth and Economy, said: “The addition of Hemisphere will be a great asset to Paddington Village and to our growing knowledge economy. It’s hugely encouraging that Sciontec has updated its plans for what will be a fantastic building, as it demonstrates the demand in Liverpool for high quality laboratory space.”
“It bodes well for the future and there’s even more developments in the pipeline at Paddington Village to ensure we continue to capitalise on our world class offer in life sciences.”
The project also received the backing of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram who said the plans encapsulated his vision to harness the expertise of our world-class universities to attract jobs and housing and in an operationally net zero space.
“With world leading industry clusters in infectious disease control, materials chemistry, and AI, all on our doorstep, we have a thriving innovation economy. But to keep it growing, it’s vital that we are not only able to offer businesses the high-tech, sustainable office space they need to flourish but much-needed lab space too. Hemisphere will help take us there,” he said.
Colin Sinclair, CEO of Sciontec and KQ Liverpool, said: “The labs within Hemisphere will be a shop window to the world for health and life sciences, net zero carbon innovation and technology.
“By providing much needed grow-on space for existing lab customers, as well as bringing new labs to market, we will ensure that Liverpool City Region remains an attractive destination for business growth.”
The building has been designed by the mastermind behind The Spine, Robert Hopkins from AHR Architects,and CBRE and Knight Frank have been retained as agents.
