May 9, 2022
Brookfield, the global alternative asset manager today launched ARC (Advanced Research Clusters), a next generation science, innovation and technology real estate platform, with an initial portfolio that includes Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and Arlington assets.
ARC brings organisations together in place-based clusters, creating unique ecosystems that stimulate innovation to accelerate commercial growth for its members, incubating solutions to today and tomorrow’s global challenges from climate change to pandemics.
The launch follows Brookfield’s 2020 acquisition of a 50% stake in Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, and the acquisition of Arlington in 2021.
Brookfield has worked alongside CoreLife Investors over the last two years to build the ARC platform. CoreLife’s Co-Founders, Stuart Grant and Graham Stanley have played a key role in building the team and advising Brookfield on acquisitions and dispositions.
Today, ARC’s portfolio consists of 1.6 million square feet of existing assets and 5 million square feet of development potential across the U.K.’s Golden Triangle. It includes Harwell Science and Innovation Campus – a joint venture with the UK Government, alongside Oxford Business Park, Uxbridge Business Park and Manbre Wharf at Hammersmith. The wholly owned sites will be renamed ARC Oxford, ARC Uxbridge, and ARC West London.
With demand for high-quality, strategically located lab-enabled space outstripping supply, ARC has ambitious plans for further growth across the U.K. and Europe and is in active discussions on several potential new sites. By the mid-2020s over 1.5 million square feet will be developed across the 700-acre site at Harwell and the space available at Oxford will increase by 75 percent, with a 750,000 square foot expansion introducing new serviced lab space.
At select sites, ARC will build Motherlabs, an accelerator and incubator science ready space, flexible enough to suit every start-up and spin-out, helping them to grow sustainably, innovate and move ideas from concept, to lab, to commercialisation. The first Motherlabs will be opened at ARC West London in July 2022.
ARC members will also have access to premier facilities, science-ready space and flexible open access co-working spaces.
ARC will bring together scientists across the network through a tailored membership offering including business mentorship and advice, a programme of leadership events to nurture talent, community events and new amenities to spark connections as well as a bursary scheme to encourage more women into science.
Dominic Williamson, Senior Vice President, Brookfield said: “With unprecedented levels of private and public capital flowing into the science, technology and innovation sectors, there is a tremendous opportunity to create centres of excellence that foster and accelerate growth in these dynamic industries. We are excited to launch ARC, and support the team as they expand the platform, leveraging Brookfield’s global expertise of delivering high-quality experiences for our tenants and partners.”
Stuart Grant, Chief Executive of ARC (and Co-founder of CoreLife Investors) added: “With demand for science lab space outstripping supply it’s easy for real estate organisations to become complacent. We’ve listened to our members and have responded to their needs, creating a platform that is an authentic partner to science and innovation. We’re investing in 21st century science and innovation communities, creating connected clusters where innovation thrives, and organisations can scale quickly and effectively through the membership package, mentorship and support on offer.”
Current members of the ARC portfolio include Oxford Biomedica, the FTSE 250 biotechnology company behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, Perspectum, a leader in using digital technology to improve care for patients with liver disease and DNA sequencing unicorn, Oxford Nanopore.
