A $78 million project to renovate two empty buildings at the former pharmaceutical research complex at the University of Michigan, known as the North Campus Research Complex, was recently approved by the UM board of regents. The 101,000 square feet of renovated space will be used to create more than 50 modern research laboratories for UM Medical School researchers.
The structures, called 20 East and 25, were originally built by Parke-Davis in 1960 and 1984 and lie at the heart of the NCRC campus. The University of Michigan has already renovated the rest of the complex in recent years, and renovating these two remaining buildings will provide more space for the growing research community there, giving UM scientists more space for cutting-edge research and collaboration.
In addition to new research labs and offices, the newly renovated facilities will also include a new gathering space; a two-story atrium will connect the two buildings, making it easier for the many researchers at NCRC to travel within the complex while collaborating on research projects. According to a recent article from UM, 2,700 people already work at the North Campus Research Complex and the center’s director expects that number to grow UP to 3,400 in coming years.
The new project will add to the already thriving research community that began soon after UM bought the 174-acre site and its 28 buildings in June of 2009. The complex houses researchers from the University of Michigan and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, providing space for studies in health areas such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, innovative medical devices, drug discovery, and critical care.