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Sciontec reimagines HEMISPHERE to meet lab demand

Sciontec Developments Limited (Sciontec), has announced its latest vision for its first new build development at Liverpool City Council’s flagship development site, Paddington Village.

Sciontec, which owns Liverpool Science Park and manages innovative workspace at The Spine, has updated its plans for its eco-trailblazer new build, HEMISPHERE, which will now be home to circa 50,000 sq ft of data, bio and innovation labs, whilst also including the city region’s newest Operational Net-Zero Carbon workspaces.

With demand for Chemistry and Life Sciences labs within the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district at an all time high, and with the existing commercial labs at Liverpool Science Park continuing to operate at full capacity, the provision of additional high-quality laboratory space is greatly required.

HEMISPHERE, which received initial planning consent at the end of 2022, will now comprise of purpose-built laboratory space equating to half of the building, providing a bespoke home for cutting-edge commercial and academic laboratories in which the world’s best minds can seize the potential of ground-breaking new technologies.

The latest plans for HEMISPHERE also include Sciontec’s flexible, all inclusive, workspace product, Sciontec AI – which has recently expanded its operations at neighbouring building The Spine, which is owned by Liverpool City Council.

The new build will also feature a multi-purpose events space, a coffee shop, networking lounge and wellness studio.

Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Growth and Economy, said:

“The addition of HEMISPHERE will be a great asset to Paddington Village and to our growing knowledge economy. It’s hugely encouraging that Sciontec has updated its plans for what will be a fantastic building, as it demonstrates the demand in Liverpool for high quality laboratory space.”

“It bodes well for the future and there’s even more developments in the pipeline at Paddington Village to ensure we continue to capitalise on our world class offer in life sciences.”

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“Developments like this are befitting of a modern, forward-looking city region like ours. Sciontec’s plans for HEMISPHERE encapsulate much of my vision for the region: harnessing the expertise of our world-class universities in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, attracting nationwide jobs and housing it all in one of the cleanest, greenest buildings in our region – the first to be operationally net zero.

“With world leading industry clusters in infectious disease control, materials chemistry, and AI, all on our doorstep, we have a thriving innovation economy. But to keep it growing, it’s vital that we are not only able to offer businesses the high-tech, sustainable office space they need to flourish but much-needed lab space too. HEMISPHERE will help take us there.”

Colin Sinclair, CEO of Sciontec and KQ Liverpool, said:

“The labs within HEMISPHERE will be a shop window to the world for health and life sciences, net zero carbon innovation and technology.

“By providing much needed grow-on space for existing lab customers, as well as bringing new labs to market, we will ensure that Liverpool City Region remains an attractive destination for business growth.”

The building has been designed by the mastermind behind The Spine, Robert Hopkins from AHR Architects, and CBRE and Knight Frank have been retained as agents.