Construction expert Mace has been tasked with partially demolishing and extending a £184m laboratory centre at Oxford Science Park after the scheme was bought by The Ellison Institute of Technology.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is reputed to be the fifth richest man in the world, and has been funding numerous construction projects across Oxfordshire.
READ MORE: Major office labs plan in Oxford
Mace was originally appointed by the science park in 2024 to build the Daubeny Project scheme and has been making good progress.
Work has now been paused and revised plans are being drawn up by architects Foster + Partners.
The latest proposals, submitted to Oxford City Council earlier this month, will create 62,000 sq m of laboratory space for the Generative Biology Institute (GBI) and the Plant Biology Institute (PBI).
What The Ellison Institute of Technology could look like (Image: Oxford City Council)
It is understood the revised scheme involves extending the scheme’s three under-construction laboratory buildings and linking them with two new atriums to create a single research and development facility.
Planning documents say changes are being made because the existing scheme is made up of three separate blocks that do not connect well.
Under the revised plans, car parking provision will be reduced from 861 spaces to 332, reflecting lower staff numbers, with 264 cycle spaces provided.
The Ellison Institute of Technology focuses on research in health, food security, climate change and artificial intelligence.
Laing O’Rourke is developing two other schemes – Littlemore House and Littlemore Brook – elsewhere on the science park for the institute.
The science park is in walking distance from the proposed Littlemore Station for the upcoming Cowley Branch Line, which will provide rail links to the city centre and London Marylebone.
The Ellison Institute of Technology has bought the Eagle and Child pub in St Giles from St John’s College for about £8m.
The Eagle and Child in Oxford (Image: Oxford Mail)
Refurbishment is under way and the historic pub, beloved by fans of the author JRR Tolkien, who was a regular visitor, is also being re-designed by Norman Foster’s firm.
The institute has also submitted plans to turn the Chapel and Lodge on Armstrong Road, which was historically part of Littlemore Hospital, into a restaurant.
The billionaire has gradually been buying land and homes in Kingston Bagpuize.
According to the Daily Mail, the aim is to create a huge estate with guest lodges, housing for around 20 live-in staff, several gyms, an indoor basketball court and large stables.
A spokesperson for The Ellison Institute of Technology said “Mace has been appointed by the institute to help deliver their vision for the Daubeny Project at the Oxford Science Park.
“It will represent an exciting new project, in addition to Littlemore House and Littlemore Brook, which are currently under construction.”