Industry News

Wesleyan University is constructing a four-story, 190,000-sf science building in Middletown, Conn. Designed by Payette, the inclusive and accessible facility will provide 39 research and support labs, 10 classrooms, nine teaching labs, a vivarium, and a greenhouse. A central commons will act as a welcoming destination for informal interaction and study, accompanied by a café, an enclosed courtyard, and a landscaped plaza.

Longfellow Real Estate Partners broke ground in February of 2023 on Avia Labs in Millbrae, Calif. Designed by Flad Architects, the 479,000-sf life science facility will provide 315,000 rsf of Class A lab and office space arranged in a 50:50 ratio. The six-story building will also house state-of-the-art conference rooms, a fitness center, and a publicly accessible café. JLL has secured a $310 million construction loan for the project, which will integrate an advanced HVAC system supplying 12 air changes per hour.

Wake Technical Community College is constructing the $72.4 million General Education Building in Wendell, N.C. Designed by BSA LifeStructures, the 118,000-sf facility will offer active learning classrooms, science labs, a library, an auditorium, tutoring areas, study spaces, and a food service venue. Supporting associate degree programs in engineering, science, and art, the welcoming and inclusive structure will also provide an array of student services including admissions, advising, and financial aid.

Moderna will break ground in mid-2023 on a £150 million complex for the creation of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics in the United Kingdom. Located on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) will comprise two 145,000-sf buildings. The Drug Substance Manufacturing Unit will leverage next-generation automation systems to produce high volumes of vaccine materials, accompanied by an early-stage R&D hub that will support clinical trials.

Southwestern College broke ground in February of 2023 on a $100 million student union in Chula Vista, Calif. Designed by Gensler as the dynamic heart of the campus, the 85,000-sf replacement facility will act as a vibrant nexus where students and faculty can gather, engage, and socialize. Accommodating diverse learning communities and activities, the complex will offer a state-of-the art dining and food service hall, a multipurpose room, a ballroom, a meditation room, and a grab-and-go coffee bar.