Railpen appoints leasing team for Botanic Place, its landmark Cambridge HQ development

Railpen's ambition for Botanic Place to create global-standard headquarter offices for companies operating in the AI, tech, innovation, and pharmaceutical sectors seeking a significant presence in the UK's Golden Triangle. The development is under construction for completion in Q1 2028. 

JLL, Knight Frank and Savills will work in close collaboration with Railpen to put Botanic Place at the centre of the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor and the Golden Triangle for both UK and international occupiers.  The team will be instrumental in attracting leading businesses that contribute to Cambridge’s advanced knowledge and innovation economy.

Designed by Stirling prize-winning architect, AHMM, Botanic Place is located next to Cambridge University Botanic Garden and minutes from Cambridge station.  The development comprises a total of 325,000 sq ft, with 1 Botanic Place comprising 150,000 sq ft and 2 Botanic Place 175,000 sq ft, with floor plates up to 33,000 sq ft.  The development also has private and common roof terraces of 40,000 sq ft with outstanding views of the Botanic Garden from multiple levels.

Botanic Place features new public spaces, and landscaped gardens inspired by the Botanic Garden, which will be available for both private and communal activities.  Occupiers’ employees will benefit from 15,000 sq ft of internal amenities, event spaces, and food and beverage areas, including the historic Flying Pig pub, which is undergoing refurbishment.  There will also be common areas focused on wellbeing and creating a sense of place, with the flexibility to host events.  Adding to the appeal for employees will be almost 1,300 cycling spaces and exceptional end-of-journey facilities, while visitors will benefit from outstanding reception areas designed by AHMM.

Railpen is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, WELL ‘Platinum’ and WiredScore ‘Platinum’ ratings for Botanic Place, delivering market-defining quality, amenity, and services that create a healthy and productive environment in which occupiers and their employees can thrive.

Emma Goodford, Head of Life Sciences and Innovation Leasing at Railpen, said: “Botanic Place is an entirely new type of development for Cambridge, and with JLL, Knight Frank and Savills, we have the necessary local, national and global reach, together with an exemplary understanding of occupier needs and wants.  This is imperative, given the scale and significance of Botanic Place, and we are all looking forward to taking it to the market with real focus and energy.”

Maria Averkina, Asset and Development Manager at Railpen, added: “Botanic Place will stand as an equal to the very best headquarters workspaces globally for its quality, sustainability, and the experience it creates for staff.  As importantly, the development and its occupiers will play a central role in our innovation cluster, which will support long-term growth in the city and UK economy.  This team shares our desire to set a new precedent, and puts us in a very strong position to realise our ambitions.”

Botanic Place is one of Railpen’s 11 assets in its 1.9m sq ft Cambridge innovation cluster, and the second to break ground, following Mill Yard, its £180 million, 180,000 sq ft mixed-use campus adjacent to Cambridge train station and the city’s vibrant Mill Road, which completes in Q1 2027.

Botanic Place is being delivered in association with Socius, and Skanska is Railpen’s construction partner.