Mixed use developer Socius is pleased to confirm a partnership with Railpen, the investment manager for the £35 billion railways pension scheme for Botanic Place, a major new office development in Cambridge city centre.

Railpen acquired Botanic Place, which is adjacent Cambridge Botanic Gardens and close to the city centre and primary rail link, in summer 2022. The site comprises an existing office building, the Flying Pig pub and an adjacent site with planning consent in place for a new £500m scheme designed by architects AHMM, which will deliver c. 500,000 sq ft of modern workspace and set a new benchmark for sustainability in  Cambridge.

Socius worked closely with Railpen on the acquisition and will deliver the new office scheme with the vision to become the most sustainable and intelligent office in Cambridge. Socius has commenced community and stakeholder engagement with local residents, businesses and community groups and Cambridge City Council, and construction is expected to commence in autumn 2023.

Botanic Place will be the second collaboration between Socius and Railpen, with work due to start in 2023 on Devonshire Gardens, a £160m mixed use development with workspace, homes and a new public park close to Cambridge rail station.

Barry Jessup, Managing Director, Socius commented: “Cambridge is at the heart of UK innovation and has huge potential for growth but is impacted by an under-supply of high-quality workspace. Botanic Place will be a landmark commercial development that will harness Cambridge’s vast intellectual capital and align with its vision to achieve net-zero by 2030. We are very pleased to be working with Railpen again and look forward delivering long-term social and economic benefits in Cambridge.”