VolkerFitzpatrick to deliver new development phase at St John’s Innovation Park

The 85,000 sq ft Dirac Building will provide new, premium office space alongside an associated transport hub with showers and gym facilities accessible to all park occupiers.

The appointment acts as the green light for construction of the ‘BREEAM Excellent’ targeted development. Work will start on site in November with completion scheduled for Q2, 2027.

The new building combines what the College calls high-quality design with strong sustainability credentials, offering column-free floor plates, external terraces and a double-height reception. It will also feature rainwater harvesting, rooftop PV panels, a green roof on the Transport Hub to boost biodiversity, and premium internal finishes throughout.

Suzie Wood, Head of Investment Property, St John’s College, said: “The appointment of VolkerFitzpatrick is a hugely significant milestone, enabling the College to deliver the next chapter in its long-term vision for this crucial hub - providing much needed, sustainable, forward-thinking workspace in the north of the city.”

With a heritage spanning over a century, VolkerFitzpatrick has evolved into one of the UK’s leading engineering and construction businesses. Renowned for its expertise across building, rail, civil engineering, and sector-focused delivery, the company works across several markets, including commercial. Locally, VolkerFitzpatrick recently delivered Cambridge City Council’s new Operational Hub on Cowley Road, underscoring its strong track record in the region.

Stuart Deverill, Managing Director, VolkerFitzpatrick’s Building Division, said: “We are proud to be working with St John’s College on the delivery of the Dirac Building and Transport Hub – the next phase in the development of St John’s Innovation Park.

“This development exemplifies our commitment to building sustainable, high-quality spaces that meet the needs of forward-looking businesses. With our strong track record and experienced team, we look forward to bringing this important next chapter of St John’s Innovation Park to life.”

The project is supported by: Gardiner & Theobald (Project Manager), Sheppard Robson (Architect), Ramboll (Structural, Civil & Highways Engineering), Hoare Lea (Building Services Engineering), Stace (Cost Manager), Savills (Town Planning & Commercial Advisory), and OFR (Fire Engineering).

St John’s Innovation Park is home to world-class science, technology, and knowledge intensive organisations including PwC, Darktrace, Cambridge GaN Devices, and Cambrionix.

To discover more about the Dirac Building, visit www.diracbuilding.co.uk or contact the Park’s joint agents: Jamie Green, DTRE, E: jamie.green@dtre.com or Stuart Chambers, Savills, E: stuart.chambers@savills.com