Morgan Sindall has handed over a landmark commercial development in Cambridge - the first office scheme speculatively developed in the city centre for over 20 years.

Botanic House, a seven-storey office development in Hills Road, stands between the city’s historic core and the railway station. It was built for Pace Investments Ltd, the privately owned development company, which specialises in mixed-use and office schemes around the South East of England.

Pace has already secured a tenant. The law firm Mills and Reeve is due to move into Botanic House by the beginning of 2013 following an extensive fit out. It will occupy the majority of the building but is planning to sub-let some of the space.

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The distinctive 60,000 sq ft Botanic House is lens-shaped, designed by Formation Architects, and enjoys stunning views of Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden. It features a concrete frame, with full height glazing on the north elevation and brick panelling on the south elevation.

The project team included quantity surveyor Davis Langdon, services engineers Hilson Moran and structural engineers and project managers Bidwells.

Bob Ensch, area director at Morgan Sindall's Cambridge office, said: "Botanic House is a significant milestone for Cambridge and we congratulate Pace Investments, under the leadership of Johnny Vincent, as well as the rest of the project team, on its successful completion. To remain competitive, Cambridge needs to continue to update its commercial infrastructure and whilst new business parks have been developed around the region, Botanic House sets a new standard for the city centre office core. It’s a mark of Pace’s vision and confidence in Cambridge that they chose to press ahead with this scheme in what remains a challenging market."

(CD/GK)