In New Brunswick, N.J., a life sciences development that’s now underway aims to bring together academics and researchers to work, learn, and experiment under one roof.
HELIX Health + Life Science Exchange is an innovation district under development on a four-acre downtown site. At $731 million, HELIX, which will be built in three phases, represents New Jersey’s largest-ever investment in life sciences and medical education, according to a press statement.
SJP Properties, in collaboration with New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), recently unveiled plans for H-2—HELIX’s second phase. A mixed-use, 600,000-sf building, H2 will include build-to-suit lab and office space that can serve a range of uses for large corporate life sciences and technology company tenants. HDR is the lead architect for H-2, and JLL is the building’s leasing agent.
Next to Rutgers University and across from the city’s train station, the 574,000-sf H-1, the development’s first phase, will include the New Jersey Innovation HUB, the new home of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and a Rutgers translational research facility equipped with a variety of labs to advance the work of 80 research teams and help improve individual and public health. H-1’s two-story ground floor will feature publicly accessible amenities and kiosks, such as a 10,000-sf market hall with food options and a 3,000-sf restaurant. H-1 is currently under construction.
H-3, the final phase of HELIX, is proposed as a 42-story mixed-use building with office space and 220 housing units.
HELIX tenants will have access to the New Brunswick train station. In line for a $49 million renovation, the station will provide access to both NJ TRANSIT, operating nearly 100 train stops in the city each day, and Amtrak.
HELIX also will be in proximity to the headquarters and regional offices of several major health, pharmaceutical, and life sciences companies, including those of Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Ascendia Pharmaceuticals. In addition to next-door neighbor Rutgers University, HELIX will be within an hour’s drive to several colleges and universities, including Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University.
Related Stories
Laboratories | Nov 8, 2023
Boston’s FORUM building to support cutting-edge life sciences research and development
Global real estate companies Lendlease and Ivanhoé Cambridge recently announced the topping-out of FORUM, a nine-story, 350,000-sf life science building in Boston. Located in Boston Landing, a 15-acre mixed-use community, the $545 million project will achieve operational net zero carbon upon completion in 2024.
Laboratories | Sep 20, 2023
Life sciences construction market is poised for a comeback: JLL
The life sciences commercial real estate market has undergone a reset this year but is well positioned to be the comeback kid as capital sources grow more confident and green shoots emerge, according to JLL’s 2023 Life Sciences Industry and Real Estate Perspective.
Laboratories | Aug 24, 2023
Net-zero carbon science center breaks ground in Canada
Designed by Diamond Schmitt, the new Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) will provide federal scientists and partners with state-of-the-art space and equipment to collaborate on research opportunities.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
2023 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
A record 552 AEC firms submitted data for BD+C's 2023 Giants 400 Report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
University Buildings | Aug 7, 2023
Eight-story Vancouver Community College building dedicated to clean energy, electric vehicle education
The Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation, to be designed by Stantec, will house classrooms, labs, a library and learning center, an Indigenous gathering space, administrative offices, and multiple collaborative learning spaces.
Laboratories | Jul 10, 2023
U.S. Department of Agriculture opens nation’s first biosafety level 4 containment facility for animal disease research
Replacing a seven-decade-old animal disease center, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility includes the nation’s first facility with biosafety containment capable of housing large livestock.
University Buildings | May 17, 2023
New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health
The new College of Health Sciences Building and Nursing & Health Sciences Hall at the University of California Irvine supports the institution’s goal of becoming a national model for integrative health. The new 211,660-sf facility houses nursing, medical doctorate, pharmacy, philosophy, and public health programs in a single building.
Sustainability | May 11, 2023
Let's build toward a circular economy
Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.
