Columbia Threadneedle eyes lab conversion in Oxford

New Barclay House in Oxford could be turned into a life sciences facility as developers are drafting conversion plans. Sackville UK Property Select III, a fund of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, intends to submit a full planning application to redevelop the existing office building into a laboratory. The move comes after the Sackville UK Property Select III and Columbia Threadneedle Investments, acting as partners, acquired the site in late 2021 for £24.3m. The 2.25-acre site sits west of Oxford city centre. The 22,584 sq ft building is currently occupied by car dealership Johnsons, and software companies Mirada Medical and Caristo Diagnostics. The site also features car park comprising 150 spaces. Columbia Threadneedle is looking to demolish the existing office and construct a 204,514 sq ft life sciences laboratory development, featuring research and development space, office and a cafe. The proposals are also expected to include 230 cycle parking spaces. The scheme is expected to come forward over a timeframe of 24-months with an anticipated construction start date in January 2026, subject to planning consent. If the turnaround of New Barclay House goes ahead, the development will form a part of an emerging research and development and life science cluster growing within Botley Road Retail Park. This includes an innovation facility to be delivered by Mission Street in a joint venture with BentallGreenOak, which received resolution to grant planning permission in December 2023, alongside the recently completed Inventa, a purpose built lab and office scheme also developed by Mission Street. Check out planning decisions in Oxford >>