Driving regional economic growth is very much at the centre of the UK Government’s mission over the next four years. A raft of announcements have been made to support long-term growth, plans include packages of investment reforms and greater powers for cities through devolution. Central to this will be public and private collaboration to drive regeneration and deliver growth in UK cities. Addressing the complexities of large-scale urban projects, raising investment and ensuring local residents benefit are just some of challenges that need to be overcome. 

An example of this collaboration in action is Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter (KQ) where a unique set of shareholders have come together to deliver a world-leading 450-acre urban innovation district. Located at the heart of Liverpool City Centre, KQ is thriving with the world’s most innovative players in Science, Health, Education, Creative, Performing Arts and Technology creating a truly mixed-use environment.

KQ’s shareholder model is seen nowhere else across the UK. Both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University sit within the KQ. Sciontec Developments, the property development company of KQ, is equally owned between the two universities, Liverpool City Council and Bruntwood Sci-tec. It brings together the public and private sector; each partner offering varied expertise and values but sharing the same vision of collaboration and growth in the region. Between them they create a space to solve future facing issues, develop new technologies and methods. The spaces created by Sciontec aim to accelerate growth, development and innovation. 

Sciontec Development spun out of The Knowledge Quarter Liverpool and they own and manage Liverpool Science Park, manage AI, the serviced office space at the Spine and have planning approved on a new life science building, Hemisphere One. 

Liverpool Science Park alone is home to 60 Science and Tech businesses as well as LJMU's Astrophysics Research Institute, the University of Liverpool's Institute for Infection and the Manufacturing Technology Centre's northern base. The facilities are world class, and they have created an ecosystem within their portfolio to nurture and grow talent and SMEs. An example of this is Elida Beauty, a spin out of Unilever occupying over 5,000 sq. ft. of office and laboratory space which looks to elevate and sustainably repurpose beauty products.

Growth continues with Sciontec securing planning on Hemisphere One and anticipating being onsite April 2026. The space will offer a combination of data labs, biological labs and innovation labs, alongside incubator space, grow-on and commercial lab space. The building will be a place of cutting edge, inclusion and will provide best in class laboratory space for the region.

Of course, there is work still to be done, The Knowledge Quarter has the opportunity to improve its inner-city connectivity. Whilst only a short walk away from Liverpool Lime Street Station and Liverpool Central Station, there is a marked need for the Knowledge Quarter to be better connected to the business district, Baltic area and Waterfront. This connectivity will enable professional businesses to collaborate further and align businesses services.                                      

The opportunities do not end at the Knowledge Quarter, in the immediate vicinity, Capital and Centric have plans to redevelop the landmark Littlewoods Building totalling 260,000 sq ft. The building has been unoccupied since 1994 and the plans include the construction of two sound stages, each measuring approximately 20,400 sq ft with a height of 17m. Additionally, ancillary office, studio, and workshop spaces will be installed. This development has the potential to unlock the northern creative and digital sector and emerge as the innovation corridor on the main route into Liverpool City Centre boosting economic growth and investment in the city.


Avison Young are appointed as leasing agents on The Knowledge Quarter, Liverpool.