Architect Perkins & Will’s proposal involves retaining existing building’s facade as part of 100,000sq ft development

A £125m scheme by the Crown Estates to turn a former Debenhams store in the middle of Oxford into 100,000sq ft of lab space has been approved by the city council.

The project at 1-12 Magdalen Street is a partnership between the Crown Estate, science and innovation developer Pioneer Group and Oxford Science Enterprises.

Designed by Perkins & Will, the scheme, which was approved last Thursday by the city council under delegated powers, is due to start on site in the first half of next year with a targeted completion in 2029.

Showcase Lab Final

Source: Perkins & Will

The development will include a so-called Showcase Lab, allowing visitors a behind the scenes look at work in the building

Alongside a range of labs, the building will also feature dedicated conference and events space, including a ‘Showcase Lab’ for OSE companies to make science and innovation more visible and accessible to younger audiences.

The space will be aimed at SMEs, start-ups, and academic institutions which will centre on “high-performance incubator and accelerator space designed to support evolving research needs”.

The Crown Estate’s managing director for development Kirsty Lansdown said: “We are committed to creating a best-in-class lab space for innovative start-ups and scale-ups that will strengthen Oxford’s appeal to the wider sector and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.”

The nineteenth century structure will be retained to reduce the job’s carbon footprint, Perkins & Will’s science and technology practice leader Daniel Parker added. Bidwells is project manager.

Debenhams collapsed in 2020 with all its store closed by the following May. The Oxford branch closed in early 2021.

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