What is under the new big red roofed landmark?

The Red Hall is the centrepiece of a £1.2bn science, tech and innovation district

The City of Dreaming Spires has a new addition to its iconic skyline.

The Red Hall building is the centrepiece of the £1.2bn Oxford North site, described by its developer as a science, technology, and innovation district.

Its construction has dominated the north Oxford skyline for the last two years, but has now officially opened.

William Hague, chancellor of Oxford University, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

The site will eventually be home to one million sq ft (304,800 sqm) of new laboratories and offices, complete with a public park and 480 homes.

It has been billed as a "meeting point and launchpad for ambitious thinkers" and is currently advertising office space across its four floors.

The site is based on 64 acres of land within Oxford city's northern boundary, where developers say more than 4,500 jobs will be created.

Simon Ruck, Oxford North's managing director, told the BBC: "We've got a whole variety of interest, from AI through quantum, into biotechs, health tech.

"It's amazing really how many people are very interested in terms of occupying the space, but becoming part of our community [too].

"It's that opportunity where we can connect scientists [in a building] designed by scientists for scientists."

The ceremony marked the completion of the main hall and two laboratory buildings, which are expected to start research in early 2026.

Three more buildings will open in 2027.

Mr Ruck described the Red Hall as "very much the heart" of Oxford North, with its cafe and town hall.

Some have described it as a "blot" on the landscape and a "rather jarring sight within a largely rural vista".

Prof Sue Black, president of St John's College, which owns the land, said: "At the end of the day it's eye catching, that's what everybody wants.

"The red is in it is important, it's the red in St John's badge... but when we've built the other buildings around it it'll disappear into the background, it won't look quite so bold and red.

"But it needs to be iconic, which I think it is."

She said it was also in an ideal location, adding: "It's right on the edge of the city.

"It takes no time at all to get into the city centre. It's connected by rail."

The site is also home to eight striking glass sculptures mounted on 4m (13ft) tripods representing the planets of the Solar System, designed by Studio Olafur Eliasson.

Infrastructure works on Oxford North began in August 2021 on land near the A34, A40 and the A44.

In December 2023 Amarpreet Bhatti fell to his death during its construction.