Greenheys 

Our team of science and commercial sector experts are on site delivering the £60m Greenheys development for Bruntwood SciTech; a hub for life sciences and innovation at the heart of the one of UK’s most established technology communities at Manchester Science Park.

Scheduled for completion in Summer 2026, Greenheys will span 131,000 sq ft across six floors and will redefine the landscape of specialised laboratory spaces for diagnostics, genomics, biotech and precision medicine businesses.

It is set to help revolutionise the pace of scientific discovery as the future HQ of UK Biobank, the world’s most comprehensive source of health data for research.

Featuring a range of CL2 labs and office space from 2,500 sq ft to 22,000 sq ft floors, Greenheys will embrace the latest innovations in building materials and environmental technology. Our experienced team are supporting our customers’ target of net zero carbon in construction and operation in its shared spaces, reduced embodied carbon and 100% electric in operations.

The new laboratory space of Biobank, which will occupy three floors, will boast cutting-edge facilities, including the latest-generation robotic freezer capable of storing and retrieving up to 20 million biological samples four times faster than current standards.

The building will also boast an array of advanced technical features such as increased vibration resistance, piped gas distribution systems, enhanced cooling and ventilation systems, high-security access, and 100GB superfast connectivity.

Sam Darby, development director at Bruntwood SciTech, said:

“We are delighted to have Willmott Dixon on board for the Greenheys development. Their expertise aligns strongly with our vision for creating a facility that will serve as a catalyst for innovation in the life sciences sector and become one of the most advanced and specialist life science spaces in the UK.

“With Willmott Dixon’s commitment to quality and sustainability, we are confident that together we will deliver a world-class facility that meets the needs of the scientific community and contributes positively to the Manchester region.”

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the north, said:

"Our team of science and commercial sector specialists will bring a wealth of experience and innovation to Greenheys. In Partnership with Bruntwood SciTech and UK Biobank, we will create a cutting-edge and sustainable hub for science innovation which will be a catalyst for changing lives and creating opportunities for local people.

“We share Bruntwood SciTech’s passion for nurturing local community talent and powering the regional economy, so we are committed to investing £16.8m into local skills and businesses. Within that, we will create 380 weeks of apprenticeships, four T-level placements, engage hundreds of local students and deliver our Building Lives Academy skills programmes, designed to upskill and inspire Mancunians leaving care and those not in education, employment or training.”

Samantha Welsh, head of laboratory at UK Biobank, said:

"I’m excited that construction has started on the site, bringing our brand-new headquarters one step closer. The new facility’s lab and robotic freezer will allow us to meet the growing demand for our millions of unique biological samples, enabling scientists across the world to make great leaps forward in health and disease research.”