Approval for 100,000 sq ft lab redevelopment at former Oxford Debenhams

Planning approval has been granted for the redevelopment of the former Debenhams store at 1–12 Magdalen Street in Oxford into a 100,000 sq ft laboratory and innovation facility.

The scheme, being delivered by The Crown Estate in partnership with Pioneer Group and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), will transform the prominent city centre retail building into a hub for science and technology businesses.

Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2027, with completion targeted for 2029.

The redevelopment will provide a mix of laboratory space alongside supporting facilities, including conference and events areas. A central “Showcase Lab” is also planned within the building, designed to provide visibility of scientific research and innovation activity.

The project represents a significant repositioning of a large-format retail asset, reflecting the growing demand for laboratory space in Oxford and other established science clusters, particularly in central, well-connected locations.

The scheme forms part of a wider £125 million investment by The Crown Estate and contributes to its longer-term strategy to invest £1.5 billion into science, innovation and technology sectors over the next 15 years.

Designed by Perkins & Will, the redevelopment will adapt the existing structure to accommodate specialist laboratory requirements, supporting start-ups and scaling businesses within Oxford’s established research and commercial ecosystem.

The project partners said the scheme will help address a shortage of high-quality lab space in the city centre, enabling companies to remain close to Oxford’s academic institutions while expanding their operations.

The approval marks a further example of retail-to-lab conversion, as developers respond to structural changes in high street demand and the continued growth of the UK life sciences sector.