Railpen has appointed Skanska to construct Botanic Place, a £242 million commercial office development in the heart of Cambridge.
Skanska is delivering the construction and mechanical & electrical engineering services fit-out of the two-building development that will offer 333,000 (NIA) sq ft of workspace. This element of the contract is valued at £199 million. The development also includes restoring the building shell of the former Flying Pig pub.
Botanic Place will also feature over 40,000 sq ft of terraces on multiple levels designed for both private and communal activities, enhancing connectivity and community interaction. The development will deliver 15,000 sq ft of internal amenities, event spaces and food and beverage areas.
Botanic Place aims to meet high operational and environmental standards, targeting BREEAM Outstanding, WELL ‘Platinum’, and Wired Scored ‘Platinum’ ratings.
Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on delivering significant social value activities throughout the construction phase. This includes creating local employment opportunities, offering skills training programmes, and community engagement.
Terry Muckian, Executive Vice President for Skanska, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing our knowledge and expertise to the project, helping to deliver Railpen’s vision of creating a sustainable and intelligent workplace that achieves the highest environmental and connectivity certifications.
“Botanic Place builds on our extensive knowledge and experience in the region, helping to ensure that we deliver significant value to the community throughout the construction process.”
Matthew Howard, Head of Property at Railpen, added: “The appointment of Skanska UK to deliver Botanic Place begins the creation of this best-in-class, generational office headquarters scheme in the best location in central Cambridge. Demand for headquarters space in the city is strong, driven by the growth of the innovation and technology sectors, but this will be the first development of a truly global standard. With green, planted roof terraces providing amazing views of the city, high-quality public spaces and F&B offerings, Botanic Place will be a unique working experience, showcasing a market defining scheme, comparable to the very best offices in London and Europe.”
Construction has commenced and is expected to be completed early 2028.
The development is being delivered in association with Socius, Real PM and AHMM.
