40 Years of Cambridge Business Park: Then, Now and What’s Next

Cambridge was beginning to establish itself as a centre for scientific discovery and technological enterprise, and Cambridge Business Park was conceived to support that momentum with high-quality, forward-thinking commercial space. 40 years later, the Park stands as a significant contributor to the North East Cambridge business ecosystem and local enterprise.

As Cambridge Business Park marks its 40th anniversary, this milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on its origins, recognise its impact, and share an ambitious vision for the decades ahead.

A forward-looking foundation

The Crown Estate acquired the site in 1984 with a clear purpose: to create a business park capable of meeting the growing demand for modern workspace in the heart of in the heart of North East Cambridge, with an emphasis on quality, flexibility, and long-term relevance.

The first buildings were completed in December 1985, establishing a campus designed to attract organisations working at the forefront of technology, research and professional services.

Supporting growth across four decades

Over the past 40 years, Cambridge Business Park has evolved into a diverse hub for business. Today, the Park comprises 12 office buildings, providing approximately 325,000 sq ft of workspace and supporting businesses that contribute significantly to Cambridge’s economy. It is now home to a variety of global organisations and pioneering UK businesses, including Qualcomm, Redcentric and Price Bailey.

Throughout its history, the Business Park has played a key role in enabling businesses to grow and thrive in Cambridge, contributing both to the local and national economy.

Looking ahead: a new chapter for Cambridge Business Park

As Cambridge Business Park enters its fifth decade, we are setting out a bold vision for its future as a flagship innovation hub and a vibrant gateway to the emerging North East Cambridge Innovation District. The ambition is to transform the Business Park into a place that brings together innovation and community within a single, connected environment.

40 years ago, Cambridge Business Park stood as a natural competitor to neighbouring business and science parks. Today, our ambition is radically different. We are building on strong partnerships with neighbouring landowners to deliver a bold, unified vision for North East Cambridge – leveraging our collective scale to create a globally significant Innovation District that attracts world-class investment and empowers innovators to scale and thrive.

At Cambridge Business Park, we aim to play a transformative role in achieving this through delivering a mixed-use destination, organised around four distinct character areas:

• Main square including labs, state of the art workspace, science on show, new shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as new public space for the local community.

• Testbed including a cluster of experimental workspace, an innovative mobility hub, the recently consented Origin innovation hub, and a landmark building which will mark the entrance to the future development and deliver new co-living homes.

• Mixed-use neighbourhood including new high-quality homes of varying tenures and affordability, workspace, and new residential gardens.

• Park edge including new community green space, play space, sports uses, lab space and a new water course

Celebrating the past, shaping the future

For 40 years, Cambridge Business Park has been defined by its ability to adapt and look ahead. From its origins of supporting an emerging technology sector to its proposed future role as the beating heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and evolving innovation clusters, the Park’s story is one of bold ambition and long-term stewardship.

As we mark this anniversary, we would like to recognise the organisations, partners, and people who have played a part in Cambridge Business Park’s journey to date and thank them for their contribution!