Merlin Place
Premium laboratory, office and technical space available in Cambridge
Merlin Place: Where ideas collide, breakthroughs begin
A world-class destination for research, development and innovation
Merlin Place is a brand new, purpose-built laboratory, office and technical workspace at the heart of the Cambridge North cluster, one of Europe’s most established concentrations of science, technology and innovation.
The gateway to neighbouring Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge Business Park, and St John’s Innovation Campus, you’re joining an ecosystem that attracts some of the most ambitious organisations in the world.
With the University of Cambridge and its extraordinary spinout and talent pipeline a short distance to the south, Merlin Place offers a genuinely world-class cluster address, with space that is built for the work you do.
Lab and office space in Cambridge
With laboratory and office space built to equal technical standards, Merlin Place creates the conditions for cross-disciplinary collaboration. The infrastructure works whether you need benches, workstations, or both. We offer three adaptable configurations to suit your stage of growth:
- Shell & Core: The base build delivered to the floor, ready for a bespoke fit-out.
- CAT A/Lab Ready: Finished ceilings and mechanics aligned to Kadans’ Lab Ready standard, ready for dividing walls and layouts primed for your equipment.
- Fully fitted CAT B: Full Turnkey laboratory and office spaces ready to occupy.
The building is designed to a CL2 wet lab standard which enables the building to flex to all types of science including CL3 wet labs, dry and tech labs, and self-contained offices from 1,700 sq ft up to 139,000 sq ft.
A cross sector ecosystem
Life Sciences & Health
Engineered for genomics, drug discovery, cell and gene therapy, and biotechnology. Merlin Place provides CL2 and CL3 wet labs with write-up space, dedicated lab services, piped gases, and extract-to-atmosphere provision.
High Tech Systems, AI & Precision Engineering
Workspace designed for deep tech, hardware R&D, photonics, optical and laser technologies, precision engineering and AI innovation. Self-contained office and tech lab environments, WiredScore Gold connectivity and significant power capacity support research, machine learning and software development at scale.
Semiconductors, Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials
Suited to teams working across materials science, nanoscale research, semiconductor innovation and advanced engineering. Adaptable technical environments support testing, measurement, prototyping and specialist R&D.
Chemistry, Energy and Sustainable Innovation
Designed for sustainable chemistry, materials innovation and energy technology research. Laboratory environments include fume cupboard infrastructure, piped gases, dedicated chemical waste streams and flexible configurations built to support the transition to a sustainable world.
Comprehensive support for your business
As a client, you have access to a wide range of Kadans experts who will bring their extensive knowledge to the design, delivery and operation of your space.
At Merlin Place, we can provide a dedicated on-site Lab Manager offering support ranging from lab coat cleaning to pipette calibration.
Our business support team can also connect you with ecosystem partners, helping you access the right knowledge, networks and opportunities as your organisation grows.
Connect with an international community
At Merlin Place you’ll join an established, energetic cluster of the most ambitious organisations in science and technology. With direct proximity to Cambridge Science Park, St John’s Innovation Campus and globally recognised research institutions, tenants benefit from immediate access to talent, collaboration opportunities, and cutting-edge scientific networks.
Beyond Cambridge, you’ll join Kadans’ pan-European network of 70+ assets and 30+ science clusters, unlocking access to over 500+ client organisations. Through the Kadans community app, networking events, and industry talks, we cultivate an ecosystem where your workspace can evolve with you, wherever growth takes you.
Cambridge North location
Located at the heart of the Cambridge North Cluster, Merlin Place offers exceptional connectivity to local research hubs, major transport routes, and national infrastructure.
- Directly adjacent to Cambridge Science Park and St John’s Innovation Campus.
- A dedicated shuttle bus connects you to and from the Park & Ride and the nearby station.
- 5-minute cycle or 15-minute walk to Cambridge North Station.
- 1 hour by train from Cambridge North to London’s King’s Cross.
- 10-minute cycle or drive to Cambridge City Centre.
Sustainability
- Targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A energy performance rating
- Fully electric building utilizing air source heat pumps for heating and cooling
- On-site renewable energy generation through photovoltaic panels (147,000 kWh/annum)
- Biodiverse green roof, rainwater harvesting, and greywater recycling
- Smart Building Technology to continuously monitor energy, water and resource usage
Technical Specs
- 139,000 sq ft of flexible lab and office space
- Piped gases: Central gas management system piping CO₂, N₂, and compressed air directly to labs
- Centralised Landlord Bulk LN₂ cylinder located on the ground floor
- Dedicated areas for hazardous chemical waste storage and removal
- WiredScore Gold certified
- 1:8 sqm office density and 1:15 sqm lab density
Community
- Multi-tenant building built for cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Dedicated business support and onboarding from day one
- Access to Kadans’ pan-European network of 500+ client organisations
- Business and community events
- Connection with the international Kadans community
- Access to talent, research, and funding services
Location
- Situated in the Cambridge North Cluster, adjacent to Cambridge Science Park and St John’s Innovation Campus
- Under an hour to London King’s Cross
- 15-minute walk, 5-minute cycle or 3-minute shuttle to Cambridge North Station
- Dedicated shuttle bus to and from the Park & Ride and the station
Facilities
- Merlin Social barista bar & cafe
- Dedicated on-site Lab Manager
- Bookable meeting rooms, 3 passenger lifts and 1 dedicated goods lifts
- 304 bicycle parking spaces with showers and changing rooms
- On-site parking including accessible spaces and dedicated EV charging
- Private balconies on every floor looking south over the Cambridge skyline
Sustainability
- Targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A energy performance rating
- Fully electric building utilizing air source heat pumps for heating and cooling
- On-site renewable energy generation through photovoltaic panels (147,000 kWh/annum)
- Biodiverse green roof, rainwater harvesting, and greywater recycling
- Smart Building Technology to continuously monitor energy, water and resource usage
Location
- Situated in the Cambridge North Cluster, adjacent to Cambridge Science Park and St John’s Innovation Campus
- Under an hour to London King’s Cross
- 15-minute walk, 5-minute cycle or 3-minute shuttle to Cambridge North Station
- Dedicated shuttle bus to and from the Park & Ride and the station
Technical Specs
- 139,000 sq ft of flexible lab and office space
- Piped gases: Central gas management system piping CO₂, N₂, and compressed air directly to labs
- Centralised Landlord Bulk LN₂ cylinder located on the ground floor
- Dedicated areas for hazardous chemical waste storage and removal
- WiredScore Gold certified
- 1:8 sqm office density and 1:15 sqm lab density
Facilities
- Merlin Social barista bar & cafe
- Dedicated on-site Lab Manager
- Bookable meeting rooms, 3 passenger lifts and 1 dedicated goods lifts
- 304 bicycle parking spaces with showers and changing rooms
- On-site parking including accessible spaces and dedicated EV charging
- Private balconies on every floor looking south over the Cambridge skyline
Community
- Multi-tenant building built for cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Dedicated business support and onboarding from day one
- Access to Kadans’ pan-European network of 500+ client organisations
- Business and community events
- Connection with the international Kadans community
- Access to talent, research, and funding services
Do you want to know more about rental possibilities for lab and office space in Merlin Place?
Call, mail or chat with Katie: +44 (0)7899 103279 or k.nelson@kadans.com.
Impression of Merlin Place
Are you ready to join us at Merlin Place?
Life sciences & health
Life Sciences & Health
The UK’s Life Sciences & Health sector is driving pioneering research – from harnessing AI for cancer detection to advancements in precision medicine and biogenetics. It’s addressing challenges posed by incurable diseases, shortages, and rising costs of health care, an ageing population, and healthcare inequality. And encompasses a diverse range of technologies and discoveries in healthcare.
At Merlin Place, Kadans offers premium, purpose-built spaces designed to meet the needs of life sciences innovators. Our facilities include CL2 wet labs with extract-to-atmosphere provision, dry and tech labs, and fully equipped chemistry laboratories. Spaces can be delivered bespoke to your company’s requirements or finished to Cat A/B standards. Whether you’re a start-up, scale-up, or established enterprise, our infrastructure ensures your research and development thrive in an environment that fosters creativity and productivity.
Agri & Food
Agri & Food
The UK’s innovative Agri & Food sector is driving groundbreaking R&D – from advancements in plant breeding and genetics to biotech-driven food and sustainable farming. It’s tackling biodiversity, climate-neutral systems, and the future of food, encompassing a vast array of new technologies and discoveries in agriscience.
Merlin Place is also home to innovators transforming agriculture and food systems. Our adaptable lab and office spaces enable research in agri-tech, food security, and biotechnology, supported by Kadans’ comprehensive services and collaborative community. Through networking events, workshops, and shared expertise, we connect entrepreneurs and researchers to drive advancements in sustainable farming, nutrition, and food production. This synergy ensures your business thrives in a dynamic ecosystem dedicated to shaping the future of food.
Chemistry & Energy
Chemistry & Energy
The UK’s evolving Chemistry & Energy sector is at the forefront of groundbreaking research, focusing on renewable energy sources, cleantech, and advanced energy technologies. It confronts challenges like energy transition and resource management, encompassing diverse innovations that contribute to a sustainable world.
For organisations driving progress in chemistry and energy, Merlin Place offers state-of-the-art laboratories and technical spaces equipped for complex research and development. Our bespoke lab solutions support work in green chemistry, energy storage, and sustainable technologies. Combined with Kadans’ in-house management team and access to funding and expert guidance, we create an environment where ideas can move quickly from concept to application, helping you tackle global challenges in energy and sustainability.
High tech systems & materials
High Tech Systems & Materials
High Tech Systems and Materials in the UK explores advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, quantum technology, advanced materials, cryogenic systems, and photonics. Researchers in this sector work on ground-breaking technologies, which are essential to drive progress in other sectors such as energy, life sciences, healthcare, and construction.
Merlin Place provides advanced technical environments for companies working in high-tech systems and materials. From precision engineering to deep tech development, our dry labs and tech spaces are designed for flexibility and scalability. Kadans supports businesses at every stage with on-site property management, tailored facilities, and access to resources that accelerate innovation. This is more than a workspace – it’s a hub for collaboration, enabling breakthroughs in robotics, AI, and next-generation materials.