Projects

The Press, Foxton, Cambridge

Size
c.80,000 sq ft

Client
Mission Street and BentallGreenOak (BGO)

Project
The Press, Foxton, Cambridge

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Transforming an Historic Printing Site into a Future-Ready Life Sciences Campus

With demand for high-quality lab space in Cambridge, Mission Street, in partnership with BentallGreenOak (BGO), recognised an opportunity to create a cutting-edge science and innovation campus on the historic Burlington Press site in Foxton.

Their vision was to transform this 7.8-acre site, blending heritage restoration with state-of-the-art new-build, to deliver c.80,000 square feet of modern life sciences facilities.

Protecting the Past to Shape the Future

Bidwells’ project management team was appointed to deliver this highly complex, multi-phase transformation. Coordinating phased construction programmes and overseeing technical delivery and consultant teams, the team ensured the scheme progressed smoothly from vision to realisation.

Burlington Press holds a distinctive place in Foxton’s social and architectural history. The former press building, while not statutorily listed, was identified as a non-designated heritage asset of low to moderate value. Situated partly within the Foxton Conservation Area and surrounded by numerous listed buildings and buildings of merit, the site demanded a sensitive and expertly considered approach to redevelopment.

Bidwells’ heritage consultants were appointed early to lead a detailed significance and impact assessment, helping secure consent for both the adaptive reuse of the press building and the introduction of new science and technology spaces within its setting.

Working closely with architects, planners and the wider design team, our heritage specialists advised on scale, massing, materials, and the design of plant and flues - guiding decisions to minimise visual impact and protect key heritage views.

This advisory role was pivotal in securing consent and ensuring the proposals met both policy requirements and local sensitivities.

Phase 1 comprised a sensitive refurbishment that delivered two fully fitted lab and office units - meeting the technical and operational demands of modern life sciences. Completed in February 2024, this phase came online at a time when the market faced a severe shortage of available lab space, positioning The Press as one of the few developments to deliver critical capacity when it was most needed.

Delivering Best-in-Class Lab Space with Sustainability at its Core

The second phase delivered 60,000 square feet of new-build lab accommodation, designed to BREEAM Excellent standards. Sustainability was a key focus, with all-electric systems minimising the project’s carbon footprint and aligning with Cambridge’s ambitious environmental targets.

The new space, delivered to a shell and core specification, gives tenants the flexibility to configure their laboratories according to specific operational needs. This phase also saw the shell delivery of the future amenity space, enabling a public offering (potential cafe space) to the wider Foxton community and the new ‘heart’ to the campus.

Completing the Vision – Cohesive Campus Development

The final stage of the project will see two additional buildings, Units 4 and 8, transformed into high-specification lab accommodation, completing a unified and integrated campus.

Bidwells’ building surveying team is managing the refurbishment of these final units, delivering flexible shell-and-core spaces with the infrastructure in place to support future laboratory use.

Work on Unit 8 is already underway, with the team overseeing the full strip-out, internal reconfiguration, façade enhancements, and installation of essential services. Their work ensures the space is wind and weather-tight, technically robust, and seamlessly connected to earlier development phases.

Unit 4, designed in parallel, will commence following vacant possession in late 2025, with construction expected to begin in early 2026. The team has already secured planning permission and completed design and procurement preparations to align with Unit 8, allowing for delivery efficiencies and consistency across both buildings.

This forward-planning ensures Unit 4 can be brought to market quickly, offering a future-ready space that supports either speculative lab use or further tenant-specific fit-out. The team’s approach guarantees both units contribute to the overarching campus vision, delivering high-quality, sustainable, and adaptable life sciences infrastructure.

An Open and Engaging Science & Innovation Community

The Press is more than just a workplace—it is an open, accessible innovation hub designed to foster collaboration between scientists, businesses, and the wider community. Unlike traditional research parks, often enclosed and private, The Press features open public space with no security barriers, enabling free movement and interaction.

A central food and retail hub will serve both campus tenants and the wider community - encouraging exchange, connection, and a stronger relationship between the innovation economy and local residents.

The Future of Science & Innovation in Cambridge’s Southern Cluster

The Press is more than a real estate project - it is a mission-led development designed to meet the region’s acute demand for lab space within one of the world’s most advanced research ecosystems.

Mission Street and BGO’s joint venture is setting new benchmarks for sustainable, flexible science and innovation campuses.

Uniquely, The Press offers direct rail links to Cambridge Central, the Biomedical Campus, and King’s Cross - placing it at the heart of the Southern Cluster’s fast-evolving science and tech landscape.

With Bidwells’ integrated expertise in project management, heritage consultancy, market intelligence and building surveying, The Press is set to become a landmark life sciences destination - where world-class research thrives, businesses scale, and communities connect.