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KWK Architects repurposes industrial site and warehouse into office space for Washington University School of Medicine

Office Buildings

KWK Architects repurposes industrial site and warehouse into office space for Washington University School of Medicine

The project’s first two phases have been completed with the third and final phase under way.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | February 26, 2021
1234 Kingshighway exterior

Photo: KWK Architects

KWK Architects is currently leading a project to repurpose nearly eight acres of industrial space into new office space for the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM).

The original site included two single-story structures and a warehouse building totaling 183,900 sf. An existing 100,000-sf warehouse and associated infrastructure on the site were demolished to allow for the redesign. A smaller warehouse was able to remain on the site for adaptive reuse and an existing 65,000-sf warehouse was repurposed fo WUSM’s new office space and a 600-space secured parking lot.

KWK designed a new facade and roof for the single-story warehouse to bring it up to current energy codes and update the appearance. A new storefront and north- and east-facing sloped skylights bring daylight into the building’s interior spaces. The skylights were aligned with the central corridors to provide ample lighting in the building’s interior spaces.

Phase 1 of the project included 20,000 sf including office fit-outs for the Department of Orthopedics, Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Neurology. Phase 2 completed 45,000 sf of space and included the Office of Vice-Chancellor of Research and Physician’s Billing Services. Phase 3 has begun planning for 35,200-sf of additional office space. Once completed, the building will house nearly 500 employees.

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