Breakthrough Properties Begins Construction on Cambridge Life Sciences Center

Breakthrough Properties broke ground in February of 2024 on a 175,000-sf life sciences center in Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Designed by Henning Larsen and Feilden+Mawson, the five-story building will offer modern, flexible laboratories with integrated write-up areas. Vitrum by Breakthrough will also provide world-class offices, meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, and amenities. On the ground floor, a spacious lobby will open onto a landscaped square, complemented by outdoor terraces on the upper levels.

Located at St. John’s Innovation Park, the highly sustainable building is targeting a minimum of BREEAM Excellent certification in addition to WELL Platinum, WiredScore, and ActiveScore accreditations. The resilient development will leverage passive design strategies and all-electric heating and cooling systems to achieve superior energy performance. A sub-grade parking garage will help preserve the site's biodiversity.

Supported by $104 million in construction financing, Vitrum is slated for completion in early 2026. The project team includes Buro Happold, Thornton Tomasetti, Sphere25, and Townshend Landscape Architects. Breakthrough Properties represents a joint venture of global developer Tishman Speyer and biotechnology investment firm Bellco Capital.