Brookgate, the Cambridge-based mixed-use development company, opened the new home of Microsoft Research at 21 Station Road today. The opening of the building which is part of the CB1 masterplan was celebrated with an event at the site attended by the Mayor of Cambridge Cllr Sheila Stuart and Microsoft Research Laboratory Director, Professor Andrew Blake.
The new six storey 83,500 sq ft building at 21 Station Road, designed by Chetwoods Architects was pre-let on a 20 year lease to Microsoft Research which has decided to base its European Research headquarters at CB1. The building will house circa 220 employees in state of the art accommodation, encouraging greater collaboration and the generation of new ideas.
The building has a BREEAM excellent rating for sustainability, with the development also actively promoting the use of bicycles with provision for over 300 cycle spaces within the scheme.
Sven Töpel, Chief Executive of Brookgate, said:
“Microsoft Research’s decision to locate its European Research headquarters to CB1 demonstrates the development’s ability to create an environment capable of meeting the very specific requirements of a world leading company in the ever growing technology sector. Retaining a firm of this calibre will help Cambridge to strengthen its competitive status, and will galvanise regeneration of the city centre.”
Cllr Sheila Stuart said:
“I welcome the completion of this building and the move of Microsoft Research to Station road. It is so exciting to see the first of many new buildings which have been in the planning stage for many years reach completion and become occupied. This will contribute to the vibrancy of the station road area. “
Andrew Blake, Laboratory Director of Microsoft Research Cambridge said:
“We very much look forward to moving into our fabulous new building early in the New Year. I am astonished at just how quickly it has appeared and I would like to thank everyone involved for their contributions to the project. The result is something truly spectacular. The CB1 development is set to create a vibrant and productive new city quarter and we are very pleased to be the first office building to be commissioned.”
The CB1 masterplan will create a new city centre quarter offering a mixture of commercial, residential and leisure facilities. The scheme also includes a refurbished station concourse, a new public square and a new transport interchange with proposals also in place to create a 3,000 space cycle park.
Media Contacts
For more information on Brookgate please contact:
Dominic Morgan, FTI Consulting
07775 518 587
[email protected]
Nneka Opara, FTI Consulting
07730 092 458
[email protected]
For more information on Microsoft Research please contact:
[email protected]