Industry News

Southwest Business Corp. plans to consolidate its services at a new 100,000-sf headquarters on a 3.7-acre site in North Central San Antonio. Groundbreaking for the $12 to $14-million building plus 4.5-story parking structure is planned for 2003, with occupancy anticipated in 2005. The company provides insurance and financial services.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Behring Center, has selected the New York-based architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to launch the museum's renovation of its 38-year-old building. The project will improve visitor circulation and navigation, increase exhibition space, and update and improve public facilities, such as restrooms, restaurants and other amenities.

Top priorities under the contract include:

Idec Pharmaceuticals of San Diego broke ground on the first phase of a $1.25-billion large-scale manufacturing project on May 30. The first phase, totalling 470,000-sf in five buildings, is part of a planned three-phase, 1.3 million-sf new products manufacturing development. The first phase is scheduled for occupancy in November 2004.

TheraSense of Alameda, Calif., is doubling its facilities with the lease of 64,000 sf of build-to-suit space adjacent to its existing building in Alameda. TheraSense will invest $3-million in tenant improvements for the facility, which will expand the sales and manufacturing capacity for TheraSense's diabetes blood-testing kits. TheraSense plans to add 50 employees to its current 400-person staff when the new space is completed in April of 2003.  

Lafayette College of Lehigh Valley, Pa., has selected Boston-based Cannon Design to develop a varsity athletic facilities master plan. Lafayette's 80,000-sf Kirby Field House addition was recently planned and programmed by Cannon. The Kirby addition features a three-court gymnasium, fitness/running room, elevated running track, multipurpose rooms, racquetball and squash courts, a climbing wall and full support facilities.