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
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 24, 2016
Healthcare providers must retool operations in post-ACA world
As healthcare organizations make the transition from sick care to well care, they’re learning how to stretch their resources and make smarter decisions about real estate.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 19, 2016
U.S. House moves to give Army Corps of Engineers management of V.A. projects
Bill would also put restrictions on planning and design funding.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 19, 2016
Early trends in healthcare for 2016
Fighting cancer, Design-Led Construction (DLC), and health sciences education are among the new efforts and developments, writes Cannon Design's Deb Sheehan.
Market Data | Feb 10, 2016
Nonresidential building starts and spending should see solid gains in 2016: Gilbane report
But finding skilled workers continues to be a problem and could inflate a project's costs.
Game Changers | Feb 5, 2016
Mayo Clinic's breakthrough research lab puts evidence-based design to the test
Mayo teams up with Delos to bring hard science to EBD research.
Game Changers | Feb 4, 2016
GAME CHANGERS: 6 projects that rewrite the rules of commercial design and construction
BD+C’s inaugural Game Changers report highlights today’s pacesetting projects, from a prefab high-rise in China to a breakthrough research lab in the Midwest.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 27, 2016
CBRE: Here's what healthcare owners need to know when selecting a real estate developer
Understanding equity sources, balancing costs, and involving legal departments early in the process can help health systems maintain leverage during the RFP process, writes CBRE Healthcare’s Chris Bodnar.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 27, 2016
South Carolina governor’s push to repeal health facility construction rules gets boost from Feds
Legislature may move to strike certificate of need requirements.
Metals | Jan 19, 2016
6 ways to use metal screens and mesh for best effect
From airy façades to wire mesh ceilings to screening walls, these projects show off the design possibilities with metal.
Great Solutions | Jan 19, 2016
Healing garden doubles as therapy trails
A Boston-area hospital takes the healing garden to the next level.