Construction Begins on New York City Public Health Laboratory

The New York City Economic Development Corporation began construction on the $454 million NYC Public Health Laboratory in June of 2022. Strategically sited adjacent to Harlem Hospital, the 240,000-sf building will provide the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with sophisticated infrastructure for the detection and mitigation of infectious diseases and pathogens. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the 10-story facility will offer biocontainment suites, offices, a 200-seat auditorium, a walk-in testing center, training rooms, and informal collaboration spaces. A three-story podium will accommodate administrative and community-facing functions, with five levels of state-of-the-art labs on the upper floors.

Targeting a minimum of LEED Silver certification, the sustainably designed structure will incorporate photovoltaic arrays, chilled beams, highly efficient lab equipment, a cogeneration plant, and a green roof terrace. All critical building systems will be located above the current 100-year flood plain. As part of the city of New York's 80x50 program, the project represents a commitment to achieve an 80 percent reduction of carbon emissions by 2050. Occupancy is expected in 2026.