Broers Building News
Cambridge Ceremony Marks Start Of Work On New Development For Entrepreneurship | 11/11/08
Turnstone Estates and the University of Cambridge marked the start of work on their new 85,542 sq ft (7,947 sq m) mixed-used development in Cambridge at a special ceremony today.
The striking development of three separate linked buildings forms the latest stage in the expansion of the University’s science and technology campus at West Cambridge.
The first two buildings, to be known as the Hauser Forum, will comprise a home for Cambridge Enterprise, a University-owned company focused on commercial knowledge transfer, an Idea Space for emerging companies and a seminar centre which will be used for events promoting Cambridge research to the business and investment community. A café and atrium meeting place will replace the existing West Café and service the whole site.
These buildings have been made possible thanks to an £8 million donation to the University’s 800th Anniversary fundraising campaign from the Hauser-Raspe Foundation.
The Broers Building, named in honour of the former University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Lord Broers, will provide commercial, research and development and ancillary space which will be let to private organisations whose activities are relevant to entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer. Turnstone Estates is developing this building on a speculative basis with funding provided by Dunbar Bank.
In front of more than 80 dignitaries and guests Hermann Hauser , Pamela Raspe, and Lord Broers took the controls of a mechanical piling machine under the guidance of site manager Noel Cafferty from main contractor Willmott Dixon to mark the start of building works.
Chris Goldsmith, Managing Director, Turnstone Estates. commented: “ The West Cambridge Site provides a highly successful forum for business and academia. This latest development is yet another example of the University and dynamic private sector partners working together for mutual benefit.“
Professor Alison Richard, Vice-Chancellor of the University said: "Hermann and Pamela's support for the new Hauser Forum reflects not only their generosity but also the flair and imagination that they have brought to their business activities. This gift to the current 800th Anniversary Campaign will make an outstanding contribution to our ability to take research into the market place and to promote innovation and entrepreneurship."
Hermann Hauser said: "Pamela and I are pleased to make this gift to Cambridge University, which has played a big part in our lives. We welcome this opportunity to support Cambridge Enterprise, for two reasons; firstly, it will benefit budding academic entrepreneurs and secondly, the University will benefit from its participation in successful spin-outs. We are delighted that the third building adjacent to the Forum is being named for Alec Broers, who has done so much to promote knowledge transfer between the University and the wider world."
Professor Ian Leslie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, said: "The Hauser Forum will provide a strong base for Cambridge Enterprise as it builds upon its success in commercialising the University's research."
The site is in an ideal location at the heart of the Cambridge cluster and adjacent to the University's Computer Laboratory, Electrical Engineering, Nanoscience and Physics buildings. West Cambridge is also the location for a number of University collaborations with commercial organisations including Microsoft, Nokia, Hitachi, Schlumberger and AVEVA Group.
The future of the 163 acre (66 hectare) West Cambridge site was transformed in 1999 when a Masterplan for total new development of over 1.93 million sq ft (180,000 sq m) of academic, research institute, residential sports and other facilities, including 441,000 sq ft (41,000 sq m) of new commercial research accommodation, was approved.
The Hauser Forum and the Broers Building are a cornerstone of the University's strategy for West Cambridge which is providing the modern research and teaching facilities needed to compete with other leading international universities; and at the same time acts as a pioneering centre for research collaboration with local and international industry. The successful development of West Cambridge strengthens Cambridge's position as Europe's leading centre for entrepreneurial science-based business.
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For further information, please contact
| Chris Goldsmith, Turnstone Estates | Tel: 01245 292 801 | |
| Ian Purvis, Porterfield PR | Tel: 020 7647 4420 | |
| Tim Holt, University of Cambridge | Tel: 01223 765954 |
Notes for Editors:
1. Hermann Hauser and Pamela Raspe
Dr. Hermann Hauser is a graduate of the University, having taken his PhD at the Cavendish Laboratory, and is an Honorary Fellow of King's College. He founded Acorn Computers 30 years ago, has been behind many other highly successful business ventures since and is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of Silicon Fen and the Cambridge Phenomenon. Dr Raspe is also a graduate and a former lecturer at the University.
2. Lord Broers
Alec Broers played a significant role in the University of Cambridge's rise as a major economic force and centre of excellence for high technology and was Master of Churchill College from 1990 to 1996, Head of the Department of Engineering from 1993 to1996, and Vice-Chancellor from 1996 to 2003. He spent nearly 20 years of his career in research with IBM in the USA, working at the Thomas J Watson Research Centre in New York, the East Fishkill Development Laboratory and at Corporate Headquarters. Lord Broers has served on numerous national and international committees, including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Foresight Panel on Information Technology and the NATO Special Panel on Nanoscience and was a member of the government's Council for Science and Technology. He was elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1985 and was President of the Academy from 2001 until 2006. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and a Foreign Member of the US National Academy of Engineering, the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. In 2004 the Queen made him a life Peer in recognition of his contribution to engineering and higher education. He was Chairman of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee from 2004 until 2007.
3. Turnstone Estates
Turnstone Estates is one of the most active and dynamic property companies in the south east of England. Specialising in the office, retail and leisure sectors, Turnstone is both a development and investment company, combining professional expertise in the property industry with independent financial resources and project funding.
4. Cambridge Enterprise Limited
Cambridge Enterprise Limited provides knowledge and technology commercialisation services to University staff and students. Services include intellectual property management, bespoke marketing, negotiation of technology licences and consultancy services. Additionally, Cambridge Enterprise provides specialist surgeries for new companies, one-to-one mentoring by experienced business people, and provides access to seed and venture capital through the Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds and Cambridge Enterprise Venture Partners. On 1st December 2007 Cambridge Enterprise marked its first birthday as a limited company. During this first year the performance was solid in that 60 licences and 95 consultancy contracts were closed and the company assumed the management of a portfolio of 72 companies in which it holds equity. The turnover from technology and knowledge transfer was £6.0 million of which £5.3 million (88%) was returned to the University’s academics and departments. Further information on Cambridge Enterprise can be found at: www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk
5. The Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign
The University of Cambridge was established in 1209. For almost 800 years, the University and its Colleges have provided education, scholarship and research at the very highest level. The Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign celebrates this remarkable history and seeks to raise £1 billion to help secure Cambridge's edge in excellence for the future.
7. Lettings Agents
Bidwells and Januarys are letting agents for the Broers Building.
