Kadans Science Partner commences £100m Plus Ultra Manchester development to drive Northern innovation growth

Manchester, UK, 13 November 2025: Kadans Science Partner (“Kadans”), a leading European investor in the development of ecosystems and real estate with a dedicated focus on knowledge-intensive sectors, has started construction on Plus Ultra Manchester – a 217,000 sq ft science and innovation building at the heart of the Northern city’s Knowledge Quarter.

Located within the Oxford Road Corridor, home to one of the largest clinical academic campuses in Europe, the building is surrounded by leading universities, research institutions and technology firms.

Scheduled to complete in Q1 2028, Plus Ultra Manchester will be one of the UK’s largest purpose-built science and innovation developments. The investment marks a significant expansion of Kadans’ UK portfolio and underlines its commitment to investing in the North’s innovation economy.

Designed to accommodate organisations across life sciences and health research, advanced materials and deep technology, Plus Ultra Manchester is set to become a key anchor within Manchester’s fast-growing Knowledge Quarter.

The building’s customisable floor plates will integrate state-of-the-art labs, cleanrooms, assembly space interlinked with offices and communal spaces to foster collaboration and connection. The ground floor will feature an incubator for early-stage businesses. Other shared facilities include a café and bar, providing opportunities for the scientific community to come together, a feature forum stairway and atrium providing the central focal point to gather, a multi-faith room, mothering room and high-quality end-of-trip amenities such as a ride in bike storage and workshop.

Sustainability is central to its design, with Plus Ultra Manchester being 100% electric with significant PV panels in addition to its high-performance façade, robust MEP design and efficient controls and renewables. The building is targeting BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WiredScore Gold – reflecting a design that balances environmental performance with the technical needs of modern research and innovation tenants.

The development is a short walk from the city’s main train station, Manchester Piccadilly, and well connected to the entire Manchester and Northern UK region network via public transportation, including The Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s integrated transport network for bus, tram, cycling and walking routes.

Its position is in the epicentre of Manchester’s life sciences community, creating natural synergies between academia and industry, driving innovations in health solutions and contributing to Manchester’s growing scientific landscape. As part of Kadans’ wider network across the UK and Europe, occupiers at Plus Ultra Manchester can also gain valuable access to a growing network of over 500 like-minded scientific organisations, professionals and academics.

Plus Ultra Manchester will be the cornerstone of the Upper Brook Street masterplan, a c. 490,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme comprising flexible lab space, 1,720 student accommodation units and community facilities – designed to create an integrated, collaborative knowledge quarter.

Will Fogden, Country Lead & Head of Development (UK) at Kadans Science Partner, said: “Starting construction on Plus Ultra Manchester marks a significant milestone for both Kadans and Manchester’s innovation sector. Manchester has one of the UK’s most dynamic and well connected ecosystems, combining world-class research institutions, a deep talent pool and a thriving base of life sciences and technology companies. The building will provide companies of all sizes the flexible, collaborative infrastructure needed to help research-led organisations grow, innovate and stay in the North of England.

“Plus Ultra Manchester is only the beginning of Kadans’ commitment to the area, and the building forms a key tenet of the Upper Brook Street masterplan which aims to create a collaborative district to facilitate knowledge sharing.”

Steven Cochrane, Partnership Director of Oxford Road Corridor, added: “Plus Ultra Manchester is a welcome addition to the Oxford Road Corridor, further strengthening one of the UK’s most vibrant life sciences clusters. It builds on the research excellence of our universities and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and supports greater collaboration with industry partners to drive real-world impact. Developments like this reinforce Manchester’s position as a place where innovation thrives – and where investment in science and technology delivers new jobs and opportunities for the city.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester’s economic growth is continuing to outpace the rest of the country, creating more jobs and opportunities for our residents.

“We boast growing and globally competitive sectors in health innovation and life sciences, digital and AI and advanced materials.

“And with more than 217,000sqft of new business space this is a welcome investment in Manchester’s Knowledge Quarter, further bolstering the reputation of the Oxford Road Corridor as a globally recognised hub for learning, research and innovation.

“This development is an exciting opportunity to build on our strengths, creating jobs and continue our path to an exciting world-class city, where everyone benefits.”

Steven Gregory, North West area director for Morgan Sindall, said: “This landmark scheme marks a major step in Manchester’s growth as a centre for life sciences and innovation. With our strong track record in science and technology projects, we’re well placed to bring this vision to life and create an environment that drives collaboration and ground-breaking research. We’re also committed to ensuring lasting community benefits by working with local education providers and employment and community groups to deliver training, job opportunities and a positive legacy for the city.”

Morgan Sindall Construction are appointed to deliver this development on the behalf of Kadans Science Partner. Carter Jonas and Knight Frank are appointed as the joint agents on Plus Ultra Manchester.