Industry News

Transamerica Corp. is adding significant new security features to its high-rise, the 500,000-sf Transamerica Pyramid in downtown San Francisco. A $3-million exterior upgrade will surround the building with 98 steel bollards, interspersed with trees. The lobby is undergoing a $3.5-million upgrade providing tenants two entrances controlled by card key access desks, a separate messenger drop-off desk, and new flooring and lighting. A new entry to the garage, and a valet gateway will also be provided. Completion of the upgrades is anticipated in July 2002.

FedEx Corp., based in Memphis, Tenn., plans to convert a former rice milling plant in San Francisco into a new 115,000-sf office and distribution facility. The $10-million project, designed by Solano Beach, Calif.-based McMahon Development Group, includes a two-story, 10,000-sf office building topped with  parking, and a warehouse providing 115 van stalls, 250 parking slots, vehicle maintenance garages, and a customer counter. Construction at the 4.2-acre site is scheduled to begin in June 2002, with operations commencing in December 2002.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, based in Chevy Chase, Md., has selected Rafael Vinoly Architects of New York to design its planned $500-million Loudon County research campus at Janelia Farm. The 750,000-sf project will accommodate research labs, conference facilities, and will provide more than 100 visitors with dormitory housing. Scientific staff at the complex is expected to reach 200. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2003, with completion in early 2006.

Incyte Genomics Inc., based in Palo Alto, Calif., will move into 53,100 sf at DuPont’s Stine-Haskell Research Center in Newark while the biotech company searches for a permanent East Coast facility for its therapeutic discovery and development work. Incyte hopes to secure approximately 90,000 sf of research, lab, and office space to accommodate 140 R&D staff in the next two years, and a total of 200 employees by 2005. Biotech and pharmaceutical companies, as well as research and academic institutions, use Incyte’s genomics technologies and products.

Amgen, based in Thousand Oaks, Calif., is considering locations in Research Triangle Park for a new $500-million, 250,000-sf facility. The project would include at least 250,000 sf for biological manufacturing, clinical, and development operations. The biotech company is expanding at its other locations as well. A 92,000-sf research center opened in Cambridge, Mass., late last year; two drug R&D buildings and a parking garage are being added in Thousand Oaks; and the company plans to expand manufacturing at its 232-acre site in Longmont, Colo.