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Search the Public Notice PortalWork is progressing well at a multi-million pound laboratory complex in west Oxford.
On Thursday, there was a ceremony to mark the latest stage in construction at the new Fabrica complex in Botley Road, as the building's shell is now complete.
Developers Mission Street invited science minister Lord Vallance to see the building taking shape.
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Construction work is on schedule at the the 180,000 sq ft Fabrica scheme, which started a year ago on the former DFS and Carpetright site in west Oxford.
Mission Street, a developer and operator for the science and innovation sector, and BGO, the global real estate investment manager, has appointed construction company Bowmer & Kirkland as lead contractors.
Arranged across five floors, bosses say Fabrica has been designed with "high flexibility to accommodate the evolving requirements of science and innovation companies".
The new buildings will accommodate 670 staff, while 750 staff are involved in the construction process, due for completion in 2027.
Colin Brown, development director for Mission Street, was among staff who showed Lord Vallance and invited guests the building work.
He said the investment, including the neighbouring Inventa lab space already completed, totalled about £200m.
Mr Brown added the new complex would be open to the local community who would be able to visit the cafe on site, which will look out onto Botley Road.
He added: "Kids from local schools going into the cafe for Fruit Shoots will be in the same building as scientists trying to find a cure for cancer.
"Some of those kids could grow up to become one of those scientists. There's a community employment scheme and an apprenticeship scheme in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.
"There are lots of jobs you don't need a degree for these days."
Mr Brown said there were ongoing talks with neighbours who have voiced concern about disturbance due to construction work, including at night.
"I had a recent meeting with the residents' representative," he added.
Some of the companies which moved into Mission Street's Inventa building include Oxford University spin-out companies Nucleome Therapeutics (life sciences), Orbit Discovery (AI), and Xyme (biotech).
Mr Brown said earlier: "In addition to bringing a large, socially conscious, and inspiring workforce into the area Fabrica will also provide a huge increase in landscaped and green space, a top-class building designed by one of the world’s leading architects and increased connection to southern green spaces via shared pedestrian and cycleways.
"An 80-cover, publicly accessible café will also be opening within the building, offering unique access and insight for local people to share space with building users."
Sarah Irons, who runs Oxford Brookes University's Enterprise Centre, was one of the guests at the topping out ceremony.
She said: "This could be a place where some of our brilliant students are working in the future."
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