In 1961, the City of Reykjavík gifted the University of Iceland the land on which Vísindagarðar were built, with the condition that it would be used to build a science park. Back then, Vatnsmýri was only a swamp. Development finally got under way in 1999 when deCODE Genetics began constructing its headquarters, which opened in 2003. Since 2012, five buildings and cores have opened, and more developments are underway.
Plots under development
Deep Tech Centre
The Deep Tech Centre is a research centre with access to first-class facilities and high-tech equipment. This kind of infrastructure will benefit the whole country and rapidly improve and expedite scientific work and product development. The DTC will be built at Bjargargata 3 and we aim to inaugurate it in 2018. Overground construction volume is 7,700 sq m with an additional 4,000 sq m underground.
Hringbraut Block
Next to the National Hospital, the Science Park aims to construct a housing block of 10,800 sq m, split across three buildings plus an additional 3,000 sq m for underground parking. Development is underway in co-operation with Íslenskar fasteignir ehf.
Viska
The developers behind Gróska have expressed interest in constructing a second building based on the same concept as Gróska, i.e. a “house of ideas” where large and small companies work side by side in an environment fueled by innovation and science. A letter of intent was signed by both parties in 2023 and initial ideas are under review by planning authorities. The project is currently called Viska (wisdom), and should be constructed on the two plots at Ingunnargata 1 and 3, between Gróska and Alvotech.
Viska is looking for core leaseholders. Please get in touch if you believe your organization would be a good fit.
Vacant Lots
The Science Park is under development. Plots L and H are vacant.
The Deep Tech Centre is planned for plot J and Viska for plots B and E. An agreement is in place to develop a three-house block by the National Hospital.
Plot L on Eggertsgata/Bjargargata is 6,300 sq m. Allowed construction volume above ground is 8,600 sq m and 5,700 sq m below ground.
Plot H on Ingunnargata 5 is 6,000 sq m. Allowed construction volume above ground is 9,100 sq m and 8,900 sq m below ground.
Buildings on Site
Bjargargata 1 - Gróska
Opened in 2020. 17,500 square metres + nearly 7,000 sq m underground parking. CCP Games headquarters are in the building along with the University of Iceland’s computer science department. Mýrin, our Innovation Centre, is on the ground floor. A number of smaller businesses and institutions hold long-term contracts.
Sturlugata 8 - DeCode
DeCode Genetics were the first to build on site, in 1999. The building has been owned by UI Science Parks since 2014. Apart from DeCode’s headquarters, the building houses the UI Biomedical Center.
Sæmundargata 21
Opened in 2020. 240 student housing units along with underground parking.
Sæmundargata 15-19
Pharmaceutical company Alvogen has been on site since 2016. Their sister operation, biosimilars producer Alvotech, opened a new production facility in an adjacent building in 2023.
Bjargargata 1
102 Reykjavík
Iceland
Kt. 420204-2350
General information:
visindagardar@hi.is
Invoices:
vhi@deloitte.is
Social Media: