Pfizer has signed a 15-year lease for 230,000 sf of Class A research space in San Diego to accommodate its growing oncology division. The global pharmaceutical manufacturer will occupy two of the three buildings that are currently under construction at Breakthrough Properties' Torrey View campus. Leading-edge wet labs will advance the creation of novel therapies, accompanied by flexible offices and collaboration spaces.
Phase 3 Real Estate Partners and Bain Capital completed construction in February of 2024 on Genesis Marina, a waterfront life sciences campus in Brisbane, Calif. Offering floor plates of up to 42,000 sf, the three-building complex provides over 560,000 rsf of Class A laboratory and office space. Every research suite is equipped with a modular benching system that is pre-plumbed and pre-wired for fast installation and effortless reconfiguration.
Oxford Properties is transforming Victoria House in central London into a vibrant destination for biomedical research. Developed in partnership with Pioneer Group, the £70 million project involves the conversion of 220,000 sf of the building's 300,000-sf internal area to provide sophisticated wet labs and write-up areas.
Beacon Capital Partners and Trammell Crow Company are constructing Hyde Park Labs in Chicago. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, Moody Nolan, and Interactive Design Architects (IDEA), the $225 million project involves the creation of a 13-story building atop an existing retail podium. The completed 370,000-sf facility will offer 300,000 rsf of Class A lab and office space spread over nine floors.
Kadans Science Partner is planning to construct a 139,000-sf research facility in Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Featuring a modular layout that can accommodate multiple tenants or a single entity, Merlin Place will provide best-in-class lab environments for the creation of new therapies, medical devices, and digital healthcare solutions. A flexible structural grid with adaptable floor heights will support a range of configurations, with vibration-mitigated suites available for sensitive instrumentation.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is planning to establish a biomedical research facility in Suffern, N.Y. The company recently invested $39 million to acquire the 235,000-sf Avon Innovation Center. Sited on 10 acres, the three-story structure originally housed chemistry labs and support spaces for the development of cosmetics, fragrances, and skincare products. HLW designed the facility, which was constructed between 2003 and 2005 by Skanska USA Building.
AstraZeneca is investing $300 million to establish a cell therapy manufacturing facility in Rockville, Md. Developed by Alexandria Real Estate Equites, the Class A+ property is located in the vibrant innovation ecosystem of the Alexandria Center for Life Science at Shady Grove. AstraZeneca has executed a 13-year lease for the entire 84,264-rsf building.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities opened a 215,000-sf life sciences center in early 2024 in San Francisco’s Mission Bay district. Designed by IwamotoScott Architecture in association with DGA and Powell Architecture, the seven-story building provides 133,000 sf of Class A lab space, 50,000 sf of office space, and 2,600 sf of ground-level retail.
Breakthrough Properties broke ground in February of 2024 on a 175,000-sf life sciences center in Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Designed by Henning Larsen and Feilden+Mawson, the five-story building will offer modern, flexible laboratories with integrated write-up areas. Vitrum by Breakthrough will also provide world-class offices, meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, and amenities. On the ground floor, a spacious lobby will open onto a landscaped square, complemented by outdoor terraces on the upper levels.
Global pharmaceutical firm XBiotech will break ground in early 2024 on an expansion of its Austin campus. Designed by MOD Architecture, the 46,000-sf R&D center will catalyze the discovery and development of innovative biomedical therapies, as well as accelerating the commercialization of the company’s Natrunix rheumatology treatment. Wet laboratories for infectious disease research will foster the creation of new vaccines and medications to address emerging health challenges.
AstraZeneca is partnering with Boston Properties to create a 570,000-sf R&D center in Cambridge’s Kendall Square. Housing approximately 1,850 employees, the 16-story building will offer world-class research environments for the creation of advanced biomedical therapies and vaccines. This nexus of innovation and discovery will feature flexible open laboratories arranged in neighborhoods with shared instrumentation suites and collaboration spaces.
The University of Virginia broke ground on the $350 million Paul and Diane Manning Institute for Biotechnology in December of 2023. Located in the Fontaine Research Park in Charlottesville, the 350,000-sf project will drive innovation in the fields of cellular therapy, gene therapy, nanotechnology, and drug delivery. By collocating state-of-the-art labs and core facilities with advanced manufacturing suites and clinical environments, the four-story building will accelerate the translation of medical discoveries into new solutions for patient care.
Aviva Investors began construction in December of 2023 on a three-story, 60,000-sf life sciences facility in Cambridge, U.K. Located in the Chesterford Research Park, the Sidney Sussex Building will provide 10 individual suites with fully fitted wet labs and open office areas that range from 2,226 sf to 8,409 sf. A dedicated floor of shared conference rooms will promote collaboration and exchange, complemented by inspiring outdoor settings for informal interaction.
The Georgetown Company is planning to construct a 185,000-sf life sciences center in the Hell's Kitchen district of Manhattan in New York City. Created in partnership with Beacon Capital and ZoE Life Sciences, the seven-story facility will provide purpose-built research environments for biomedical and pharmaceutical tenants. The highly collaborative structure will offer flexible floorplates starting at 31,000 sf that can accommodate a variety of lab and office configurations.
Touchstone is constructing the Chapter Buildings in Seattle to provide Class A lab and office environments in the heart of the University District. Created in partnership with Portman Holdings and Lionstone Investments, the mixed-use project includes the creation of two buildings linked by an 8,000-sf pedestrian thoroughfare. Tenants will enjoy large, open floor plans of up to 31,000 sf with abundant natural light and operable windows.
