Pharmaceutical

Imperial College London opened the £120 million Laboratory of Medical Sciences in January of 2024 on the Hammersmith Hospital Campus. Designed by Hawkins\Brown to support team science, this collaborative hub for translational research accommodates programs in genetics, sex-based disease differences, and heart and metabolic disorders. The 130,000-sf structure features highly controlled lab environments carefully interwoven with comfortable write-up spaces and shared amenities.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) began construction in January of 2024 on the Research & Discovery Centre in Toronto. Designed by TreanorHL and KPMB Architects, the 389,341-sf facility will catalyze the translation of medical breakthroughs into new solutions for patient care. This centralized home for CAMH’s research enterprise will feature open lab and office environments, space for clinical trials, and communal settings illuminated by natural light.

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 Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), is becoming Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, preparing Canada for emerging health threats by expanding its expertise and infrastructure. This includes opening a new Vaccine Development Centre (VDC) to manufacture vaccines; constructing a new multispecies animal housing facility; enhancing its biosafety containment to the highest level to facilitate research on the most complex pathogens; and using its nearly five decades of success to attract top scientists. 

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.

Philadelphia-based Genesis AEC was able to reduce the square footage of a new translational medicine center of excellence by more than half and cut cost estimates by 16%, by reviewing the client’s needs versus wants; using innovative design practices, including a first-of-its-kind firewall design; and applying the approach known as “engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM).” The facility for a U.S.-based multi-national pharmaceutical company opened on Sept. 1, 2023.

Prince Street Partners is planning a 282,000-sf life science complex in Redwood City, Calif. Designed by Brick, now part of HGA, the project involves the adaptive reuse of an existing 85,000-sf building and the demolition of two other structures. A new five-story, 197,000-sf facility sited atop a two-level garage will be constructed to provide leasable lab and office environments for BSL-1 and BSL-2 research programs.

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.

The Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA) announced the winners of the Lab of the Year Award program in November of 2023. Recognizing the creation of an outstanding laboratory building or complex, the awards reflect the vital contributions of the entire project team, including the facility’s designers, engineers, contractors, material vendors, and client representatives.

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.

Breakthrough Properties broke ground in October of 2023 on a 210,000-sf life sciences center in Oxford in the United Kingdom. Designed by Niazi Roden, Trinity by Breakthrough will provide 160,000 sf of Class A lab and office environments complemented by world-class amenities. The six-story facility will offer flexible floorplates of up to 40,000 sf serviced by robust mechanical and electrical systems. A jettied ground floor will create sheltered areas for informal interaction and exchange while maximizing the public outdoor landscape.

Ivanhoé Cambridge and Lendlease are constructing FORUM, a $545 million life sciences center in Boston. Designed by SGA, the nine-story, 350,000-sf building will provide state-of-the-art labs and offices for biomedical and pharmaceutical companies. Offering flexible floorplates spanning 50,000 sf, FORUM will feature a publicly accessible ground level with a café, a lounge, a community living room, and an art gallery.

Merck celebrated the official groundbreaking for the $1.3 billion London Discovery Research Centre in October of 2023. Created in partnership with Precis Advisory, the 10-story, 269,000-sf building will provide 180,000 sf of leased space for the company’s UK headquarters. The vibrant facility will feature state-of-the-art labs, offices, and collaboration spaces where approximately 180 researchers will work alongside 600 employees involved in business development, regulatory compliance, and clinical affairs.