Destination Medical Center in Rochester, Minn., is a 20-year economic development initiative that, at $5.6 billion, is the largest in Minnesota’s history. The Mayo Clinic will account for $3.5 billion of that investment, with the state kicking in $585 million and private investors $2.1 billion.
Among this initiative’s six sub districts will be an urban research campus called Discovery Square, a 16-block mixed-use neighborhood for entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, and established businesses with Mayo Clinic adding more than 2 million sf of collaborative space.
Among the five projects at Discovery Square that have either been completed or proposed is the so-called Mortenson Project, a highly connected, urban life science ecosystem of mixed uses, including life science businesses, start-ups and spin-offs, retail, hotel, commercial development and residential areas, anchored by Mayo Clinic.
M.A. Mortenson, the construction and real estate development firm, is the developer of this project, and late last month revealed the design and location for its first building, which is scheduled to break ground later this year with a target completion date of 2019.
The 60,000-plus-sf facility will be located at the corner of 4th Street SW and 2nd Avenue, atop a surface parking lot near the Mayo Clinic and the Gonda Building, and adjacent to the hospital’s Guggenheim, Hilton, and Stabile buildings. The building will be within walking distance of Rochester’s thriving Historic Southwest neighborhood of restaurants and retail.
A spokesperson for Mortenson tells BD+C that the building could be scaled up to 100,000 sf, if tenant demand warrants.
To clear the way for this initial Discovery Square project, Mayo Clinic's 428 Building, the former Vine Funeral Home, at 428 Third Ave. SW will be demolished, Jeremy Jacobs, Mortenson’s development executive, told the Rochester Post Bulletin
The building’s integrated design—by Minneapolis-based RSP Architects and St. Louis-based HOK—will feature flexible, open workspaces that allow tenants to adapt and expand as the life sciences industry evolves. The building’s common spaces will be centralized to promote tenant interaction.
The 16-block Discovery Square would add 2 million sf of commercial and residential space over the next two decades, and probably replace some of the structures there now. Image: Rochester Post Bulletin
“Development of Discovery Square is a major step forward for the world of life science research,” says Eli Hoisington, AIA, LEED AP, HOK’s design principal. “Discovery Square will be a bridge to the mission of Mayo Clinic. The first phase will provide a new ‘address’ for the future of life science, research, education, technology, and innovation.”
Mortenson’s building will within the proximity of Collider, a coworking hub that will also offer monthly events and educational opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Colliers is serving as the leasing agent and will oversee tenant recruitment in partnership with Mortenson and the DMC Economic Development Agency.
“The goal of Discovery Square is to accelerate the translation of medical research from bench to bedside,” says Mortenson’s Jacobs. “Colliers’ expertise will help us bring together the right mix of entrepreneurs and industry leaders in life science research, education, technology and innovation to achieve this noble end.”
Related Stories
| Jul 8, 2014
Fast-track naval hospital sparks sea change in project delivery [2014 Building Team Awards]
Through advanced coordination methods and an experimental contract method, the Building Team for Camp Pendleton’s new hospital campus sets a new standard for project delivery.
| Jul 7, 2014
Team unity pays off for a new hospital in Maine [2014 Building Team Awards]
Extensive use of local contractors, vendors, and laborers brings a Maine hospital project in months ahead of schedule.
| Jul 7, 2014
7 emerging design trends in brick buildings
From wild architectural shapes to unique color blends and pattern arrangements, these projects demonstrate the design possibilities of brick.
| Jul 7, 2014
A climate-controlled city is Dubai's newest colossal project
To add to Dubai's already impressive portfolio of world's tallest tower and world's largest natural flower garden, Dubai Holding has plans to build the world's largest climate-controlled city.
| Jul 2, 2014
The doctor is in the firehouse: New clinic to be built in California fire station
Designed by WRNS Studio, the Firehouse Clinic will encourage local residents with limited healthcare access to consider them as an alternative to the emergency room, especially for preventive care.
| Jul 2, 2014
Emerging trends in commercial flooring
Rectangular tiles, digital graphic applications, the resurgence of terrazzo, and product transparency headline today’s commercial flooring trends.
| Jun 30, 2014
Research finds continued growth of design-build throughout United States
New research findings indicate that for the first time more than half of projects above $10 million are being completed through design-build project delivery.
| Jun 25, 2014
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Spring House, Cincinnati’s Union Terminal among 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2014
The National Trust for Historic Preservation released its annual list of 11 Most Endangered Historical Sites in the United States for 2014.
| Jun 20, 2014
Sterling Bay pulled on board for Chicago Old Main Post Office project
Sterling Bay Cos. and Bill Davies' International Property Developers North America partner up for a $500 million restoration of Chicago's Old Main Post Office
| Jun 18, 2014
Design tips for Alzheimer care facilities
A new white paper from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and Perkins Eastman details best design practices for residential care settings for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease.
