08/06/2023
Fora opens its first flexible workspace in Cambridge at CB1

Fora’s new location, which was developed by Brookgate and is owned by PSP Investments and Aviva Investors, spans 65,000 sq ft over six floors at 20 Station Road, helping meet growing demand for high-quality, flexible office space in the city.

Fora, the flexible workspace provider that forms part of The Office Group, has opened its first flexible workspace in Cambridge.

Fora aims to reimagine the working experience by bringing together the best elements of modern offices, hotels, members’ clubs and flexible workspaces under one roof. Fora’s spaces are designed for clients who recognise that an office is not a commodity, but a vital element in creating communities, collaboration and fostering employee wellbeing.

20 Station Road sits within the recently redeveloped Station Road district of central Cambridge (CB1 Estate). The revitalised mixed-use development area consists of workplaces, homes, shops and restaurants, as well as open, communal spaces. A number of exciting businesses are already part of the growing community, including Apple, Microsoft, Spotify, Amazon, while ZS, a global technology firm focused on transforming healthcare has committed to offices in Fora’s workspace.

Enrico Sanna, CEO of The Office Group, said: “Cambridge has been on our radar from day one and we are proud to be opening our first workspace here. The historic city is home to a thriving business community and has a rich history of innovation, excellence and entrepreneurship - which aligns with our own culture and ethos.

Every element of our new space will be constructed to optimise the customer experience. From its striking design, wide-range of amenities and central location, we believe it will be somewhere people will enjoy, and actively choose to be day-to-day.

We are perfectly positioned to meet Cambridge’s growing demand for flexible space and look forward to being part of the community.”

The building includes private flexible office space, alongside ample communal areas. The primary communal space – The Garden Room – sits on the top floor, with skyline views over the city. It comprises a welcome lounge, where people can relax and socialise, areas for quiet work, as well as booth seating for collaboration to meet all working needs.

Users will also benefit from a range of facilities and amenities, including an alfresco terrace, on-site café, a wellness studio, showers, changing rooms, cycle storage and parking, with electric vehicle fast chargers available.

The property’s interior design was managed and delivered entirely in-house by Fora – a first for the company. Inspiration was drawn from the local botanical gardens, with biophilic design on every floor. Homage is also paid to the city’s connection to academia, with private study spaces and book casing throughout, as well as sandy undertones and warmth in the base palette - celebrating Cambridge’s iconic university architecture. Influenced by the city’s cycle culture, woven textures and rattan closely follow the design of the bicycle basket.

The company remains committed to sustainable practice and has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating for the property. The exterior will incorporate a ‘brown roof’, with space left to self-vegetate, as well as a ‘green roof’- with bug hotels that encourage biodiversity. Solar panels will generate enough power to cover up to 20% of the building’s operation, and rainwater will also be channelled directly into Cambridge Water’s treatment systems for reuse.

The building will be powered exclusively by REGO certified renewable electricity, with heat pumps to mitigate carbon emissions and ‘low flow’ water systems to reduce the amount of water used day-to-day. Fora is also targeting AirScore ‘Gold’ certification to ensure excellent indoor air quality.

Sven Topel, CEO of Brookgate, said: “Businesses of all sizes will now be able to use a range of exceptional workspaces provided by Fora within the CB1 Estate. The decision by a leading brand such as Fora to move into the Estate shows how well our architects have designed the building, and further strengthens what’s on offer for companies and entrepreneurs at the thriving Central Business District we have built around Cambridge Station.”

Images: Toby Mitchell