U.Va. Biotech Hub Leaves Half Unfinished for Future Needs

The need for blasting was a sensitive issue given the proximity of buildings housing medical services and active research. Hartman said the team held several town hall meetings, some drawing more than 1,000 participants.

Two tower cranes serve the site, including a compact 40-ton-capacity machine positioned at the corner of the building's L to install five 50-foot-long, 22,000-pound floor infill beams. Those beams meet the core lab's stringent vibration criteria and support the primary custom air handling unit.

Vertical construction has been relatively smooth. Structural steel topped off in October 2025 after incorporating nearly 13,300 cubic yards of concrete and more than 3,700 tons of steel. Prefabricated system components sourced from assembly centers as far away as New York and Florida have been critical for MEP-intensive interior work: 717,583 pounds of ductwork and more than 96 miles of electrical conduit.

A year-long BIM coordination effort proved essential for layering systems in the 9 feet of interstitial space above the medicinal chemistry lab, which houses 35 fume hoods. Weekly pull planning keeps installation on track, fitting everything while maintaining an 11-foot ceiling, Kidwell said.

Routing utilities through interior concrete masonry unit walls is just as demanding. Using BIM and other software, Skanska modeled all in-wall utilities to ensure alignment, spacing and ADA compliance before applying a multipart epoxy finish. "Having to move something like a thermostat at that point would be like cutting open a sheetrock wall in an office," Kidwell said.

Most of the two lower floors are being readied for Day 1 operation, including a universal wet lab, a special medicinal chemistry lab and a vivarium. Only portions of the three upper levels are being fit out with universal lab and office space; the rest is shelled. Hartman said locating support areas in the middle of each wing's lab space will maximize long-term flexibility.

"While not tailored to one type of specific research, the layout gives all researchers the ability to share resources," she said. "This allows the building to be very dense."

Future fit-out will include current good manufacturing practice clean rooms for Phase 1 pharmaceutical production, enabling drug companies to work alongside researchers. A café and conference center for all research park tenants are also planned. If demand grows, space is available for a second building. Skanska has already built a 19,000-square-foot thermal energy plant, underground utility distribution and stormwater upgrades to support immediate and long-term needs.

Upcoming milestones include dry-in, completion of the unitized curtain wall and vapor barriers, and energizing sections with permanent power. HVAC installation will be followed by system testing and pressure balancing before researchers move in next year.

Donald Sundgren, U.Va. vice president and chief facilities officer, said the project has already taught lessons about procuring skilled trade services. "Rather than regretting what we did, we want to be glad of what we did," he said, "even if we had to spend a little more."