Willmott Dixon has been appointed by the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture to deliver the £15m Project Violet scheme in Liverpool
Project Violet will create 42,000 sq ft of space for innovative science and technology-focused businesses.
The Grade A office space with high-efficiency standards will be located at Sci-Tech Daresbury, a science and innovation campus near the village of Daresbury in Halton.
Project Violet will encompass two buildings (V1 and V2) providing 12,000 sq ft each and a further one (V3) delivering 18,000 sq ft.
Attracting growth to the North West
Designed by Seven Architecture, Project Violet is at the gateway of the campus next to Keckwick Lane and Innovation Way. It will enable the North West to continue to attract high growth science, technology and innovation-led businesses.
John Downes, chairman of Sci-Tech Daresbury, said: “Willmott Dixon’s appointment marks a key milestone in the development of Sci-Tech Daresbury, and reflects our confidence in both the future of innovative businesses in our region the ongoing need for high quality office space.
“Project Violet will allow us to further deliver our ‘Home for Life’ concept for a new generation of high growth businesses at Sci-Tech Daresbury.
“We’re now home to over 140 businesses, including international firms such as IBM Research, and well-known UK businesses looking to establish a strategic Northern base.
“The importance of such businesses will become only more crucial in the fightback from Covid-19, both in developing the products and solutions that will improve the world around us and through the economic boost their activity can bring to our region.
“It’s been deeply encouraging to see several businesses increase their growth during this period as they deploy their expertise to accelerate products that will help support various needs brought about as a result of the pandemic.
“Project Violet will be the perfect location for such businesses to flourish, and we’re hugely excited about work starting on site shortly.”
‘Enable the North West’
Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, added: “We’re proud to play our part in delivering such an important and exciting project, which will support and enable the North West to become a hub for tech businesses to grow, as well as creating new employment opportunities for the local community.
“The Prime Minister recently put jobs, skills and infrastructure at the centre of the government’s economic growth strategy, and Project Violet is a perfect example of a development that will give our local growing businesses the best support to thrive in the future.”
The development received funding from the Enterprise Zone retained business rates and investment from the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint-venture.
Cornerstone funding is provided by the Chrysalis Fund and the LCR Urban Development Fund, which funds development, regeneration and sustainability projects in the Liverpool City Region.
