Greenheys Manchester Science Park laboratory and research building

21 August 2026

Architecture Design: BDP

BDP-Designed Greenheys Completes At Manchester Science Park

images courtesy of architects practice

Greenheys, a 131,000 sq ft laboratory and research building at Manchester Science Park, has been completed, providing a new home for UK Biobank and a major new facility for life sciences research in Manchester. Designed by architects from BDP, the project also saw the practice manage the interior design, landscape architecture and acoustics, bringing the different disciplines together around the demanding technical requirements of a modern research facility.

Delivered for Bruntwood SciTech – a joint venture between Bruntwood, L&G and Greater Manchester Pension Fund – and constructed by Willmott Dixon, the new state-of-the-art innovation hub sits within Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor and will become the new headquarters and research facility for UK Biobank.

Greenheys provides flexible Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratory and write-up space for organisations working across life sciences, biotechnology and advanced diagnostics. Its three floors of specialist laboratory space are supported by sophisticated ventilation and cooling systems, dedicated fume extraction, high-specification local exhaust ventilation and infrastructure designed to handle the movement and storage of biological samples and specialist equipment.

The building is designed to be fully electric and is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating. It also includes Manchester city centre’s largest living wall, with 160,000 plants covering 1,700 sq m, creating habitats for pollinators and more than 125 species of invertebrates, while helping to improve air quality in the surrounding area.

Alongside the technical demands of the laboratories, BDP’s design creates spaces for people to meet, work and take a break, with shared breakout areas, meeting facilities, cycle storage and changing facilities with access to a nearby gym and cafe. The landscape design extends this approach beyond the building, bringing planting and green space into the wider campus setting.

The building is now preparing for UK Biobank’s move from its existing facilities in Stockport. The organisation is relocating around 11 million biological samples to Greenheys, alongside around half of its 400-strong team. The new facility is expected to increase the capacity and speed of its research, strengthening links with Manchester’s universities, hospitals and wider life sciences community.

Gary Wilde, Architect Director at BDP, said: “Greenheys had to do two things well: provide the highly technical infrastructure that serious scientific research demands, and create a building where people can do meaningful and impactful work. Bringing those requirements together is what made this project interesting.

“It is also a great example of what can be achieved when multiple disciplines combine as one joined-up piece of design. The result is a building that is ready for the demands of the UK life sciences industry, while making a strong contribution to the Oxford Road Corridor and Manchester’s growing research economy.”

Sam Darby, Development Director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Manchester and the wider North West stands at the crossroads of a significant opportunity for economic development. The huge potential of the region’s innovation sector hinges on the development of the networks and spaces that ambitious businesses need to grow. Greenheys is part of our response to that need and marks a significant moment in the ongoing delivery of specialist infrastructure across the city. The building has been created for ambitious, research-led organisations that need high-quality lab space, access to exceptional talent and direct connections into a world-class research, clinical and academic ecosystem.

“Reaching this milestone also strengthens Manchester Science Park’s role as a key part of the city’s innovation infrastructure, while bringing us an important step closer to welcoming UK Biobank to its new headquarters. At Greenheys we have the capacity to support a whole host of other organisations operating at the very highest level of scientific discovery; helping them to collaborate, attract talent and accelerate impact.”

The project forms the latest phase of Manchester Science Park’s wider development, strengthening the Oxford Road Corridor as a centre for science, technology and innovation. Its delivery also kept significant economic value within the region, with 99% of the project spend going to businesses within 40 miles of the site.

Greenheys is a prime example of BDP’s multidisciplinary approach to science, technology and research buildings, combining architecture and specialist design expertise to create environments that can adapt as the industry and the needs of scientists and researchers evolve.

BDP

BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we’ve been solving problems, creating innovative environments, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the start, we’ve been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we’ve brought to life.

We are a diverse, global practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan’s Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.

Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. Whether we’re designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.

We’re proud of the places we’ve shaped and the lives we’ve touched, and we are committed to continuing our mission of designing a better, more connected world—one that leaves every place better than we found it.
www.bdp.com

Bruntwood SciTech

Bruntwood SciTech is the UK’s largest property platform dedicated to the growth of the tech, innovation and science sectors. It is also the leading developer of city-wide innovation ecosystems and specialist environments, helping companies – from startups to global powerhouses – to form, scale and grow.
A joint venture between Bruntwood, L&G and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), Bruntwood SciTech provides high quality office and laboratory space and tailored business support, offering unrivalled access to finance, talent and markets, an extensive clinical, academic and public partner network and a sector-specialist community of more than 1,450 companies.

Bruntwood SciTech is experienced in creating and developing strategic partnerships with UK regional cities, universities and NHS Trusts to drive economic growth. Its unique structure and funding vehicle more easily deploys long-term patient capital in innovation infrastructure, ensuring local economic benefit and growth.

Valued at £1.5bn, Bruntwood SciTech’s portfolio spans 5.6 m sq ft across 10 campus locations and 28 city centre innovation hubs in Manchester, Cheshire, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Cambridge. It has plans to create a £2bn portfolio by 2033.

Its campus locations include Alderley Park in Cheshire; West Village in Leeds; Enterprise Wharf; Birmingham Health Innovation Campus in partnership with the University of Birmingham; Melbourn Park in Cambridgeshire and Liverpool Science Park as a shareholder in Sciontec Liverpool.

In Manchester, Bruntwood SciTech’s cluster in the heart of the Oxford Road Corridor knowledge quarter includes Manchester Science Park; Citylabs in partnership with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT); Circle Square, a joint venture with Vita Group; and Sister, formerly known as ID Manchester, the £1.7bn JV partnership with The University of Manchester.

Its city centre innovation hubs include Bloc, Bond, 111 Piccadilly, Pall Mall and Thread Works in Manchester; Platform in Leeds; Cornerblock and Centre City in Birmingham; and The Plaza in Liverpool.

BDP Architects

Greenheys Manchester Science Park laboratory and research building images / information from BDP, 210826

Location: Manchester, Northwest England, UK