Facilities
400 Farmington Avenue Renovation Project
The University of Connecticut is establishing a Center of Innovation that will include its new stem cell institute as well as cutting edge cell biology and genetics research. The new center, which will be located at 400 Farmington Avenue near the Health Center campus, will unite UConn scientists in a cross-disciplinary, collaborative setting to enhance Connecticut’s role as a leader in stem cell research and accelerate discoveries that ultimately could lead to therapies treating a broad range of diseases and disorders.
Planning
The building was purchased by the University of Connecticut on February 2, 2007. Situated on 24 acres of land, the renovation is expected to be completed by the summer of 2010. Goody Clancy, a leading-edge laboratory design architecture firm based in Boston, designed the renovation of the building to house both research laboratories and incubator space for businesses eager to commercialize stem cell science.
The core of the program is new research and office spaces for the Stem Cell Core Lab, the Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, the Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, and the Neuroscience Department. In addition to these research functions, the program includes meeting and conference rooms, incubator labs for the Technology Incubation Program and the UConn R&D program, and typical building support spaces.
The building is expected to meet the requirements of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating, as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Building Description and Costs
The existing building is a one story structure, approximately 118,000 square feet in gross area. It is divided into various functions including labs, offices, employee spaces, and a large vivarium. On the outside, there are currently 145 existing parking spaces. Additional parking and landscape modifications are part of the project. The cost of construction is expected to be nearly 31 million dollars while the total project cost is estimated at more than 50 million dollars.
| Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Master Plan Objective | Research Growth – 21st Century UConn |
| Schedule | Purchased: February 2,
2007 Occupancy Plan: Summer 2010 |
| Costs | Construction Cost
$31,729,575 Total Project Cost $50,852,000 |
| Building/Site Data | 118,480 Gross Square
Feet 53,900 Net Assignable Square Feet 145 Existing Parking Spaces 23.64 Acres |
| Building Use | Occupants: Stem Cell Core Lab, Genetics & Developmental Biology, Center for Cell Analysis & Modeling (CCAM), Neurosciences, Office of Technology Commercialization |
| Significant Features | Wet Laboratory Research Space, Incubator Space, Satellite Animal Care Facility, Cafeteria |