14 August 2007 - Article by Nottingham Evening Post

Work has begun on a £5m extension to the successful BioCity complex in Nottingham. The former Boots Pharmaceutical laboratories are now home to 50 bioscience and pharmaceutical companies. And BioCity bosses are already looking to plan a fourth phase. BioCity chief executive Dr Glenn Crocker said companies at the Pennyfoot Street site were growing at a rate of 35% a year and the science park would need a 75,000 sq ft fourth phase. The third phase will be ready by the end of this year and Dr Crocker said he was in negotiations with two companies before it was even marketed. It will be an opportunity to attract overseas businesses to Nottingham, he added. The refurbishment of the third phase building has been designed by Nottingham architects Maber Associates. When complete, it will enable more companies to exploit their ideas for new products and services, helping to create jobs and ensuring the continued growth of the region.
The re-development involves the complete redesign and refurbishment of an existing six-storey laboratory building. A new entrance will incorporate a circulation core which will link all of the floors, as well as create a stunning reception and waiting area. The entrance will provide a strong focal point to the building and a symbol for BioCity. In addition, a number of sustainable measures have been taken to increase the building's thermal efficiency such as the use of partial over-cladding and re-glazing. Davis Langdon are acting as project managers for the development. Working alongside them are Nottingham-based contractors the Clegg Group; Furness Green, M &E Consultants; Structural Engineers BSP Consulting; and J Tomlinsons M &E Contractors. The laboratory and office units are about 7,000 and 2,500 sq ft, respectively. This is a contrast to early phases of development and indicates the expansion of companies at BioCity. Completion will bring the total amount of laboratory and office space at BioCity to 125,000sq.ft. East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and European Regional Development Fund have between them provided a £4m contribution towards the cost of the project. BioCity is located immediately adjacent to Nottingham's Eastside regeneration area - a £900m regeneration which provides scope for the future expansion of BioCity. It is likely to prove attractive to research and professional services businesses that want to co-locate near the hi-tech companies at BioCity. Paul East, of Maber Associates, said the existing green mosaic tiles that cover the outer envelope will be retained and a striking copper coloured wall will be added. The northern wall of the building will be clad in zinc and all windows are being replaced. The unique design will make the building stand out, he added.