Oxford University Development (OUD), the joint venture partnership between Oxford University and Legal & General, has marked the halfway point in construction of its first project since OUD’s inception in 2019.
The Life and Mind Building will deliver 268,000 ft2 (24,900 m2) of research, teaching and innovation space, and is part of 400,000 ft2 of life sciences space already under construction by OUD.
Anna Strongman, CEO of OUD commented: 'To reach this point, not only on the Life and Mind Building, but across a number of projects in such a short timescale is testament to the scale of OUD’s ambition.
'We are focused on delivering socially sustainable developments for all in Oxford and also aim to set a new bar for university-backed development.'
The private-public sector partnership brings together the land and opportunities of Oxford University with the investment and development management skills of Legal & General.
Backed by £4 bn of investment capital from Legal & General, OUD was established in order to provide thousands of homes for staff and students, incubator space and academic facilities.
Mike Coplowe, senior development manager, Legal & General added: 'Universities are a key driver for the growth of cities, acting as a magnet for talent and incubator of growth and innovation.
'They have an integral role in shifting the dial for future success. Great universities also need an economic, physical and digital infrastructure to create an ecosystem to attract people and businesses.'
The Life and Mind Building, designed by NBBJ, will be home to the Department of Experimental Psychology and a new Department of Biology, combining the existing Departments of Plant Sciences and Zoology. It includes research facilities for 800 students and 1,200 researchers.
Alongside the Life and Mind Building, OUD is also out of the ground on a residential-led development to the south of Oxford, including 70 homes for graduate students and their families, while the masterplan for its 190-hectare mixed-use Begbroke Innovation District is moving forward.
A further five sites have also been added to the partnership, which is underpinned by a £4 bn (€4.5 bn) investment from Legal & General.
By 2035 OUD expects to have delivered 1.6 million ft2 of university space, 3,000 new homes for graduate students, researchers, University and college staff and their families and the wider Oxford community; a host of new parks, squares, schools, playgrounds, cafes, community spaces and other amenities; and a net zero carbon estate.
The Life and Mind Building is due to complete next year.
