The Midtown Rebirth: SLU Reveals Location for Its Largest-Ever Building Project

Contact:
Joe Muehlenkamp
Phone: 314.977.8015
muehlenk@slu.edu

February 25, 2004

The Midtown Rebirth: SLU Reveals Location for Its Largest-Ever Building Project

An aerial view of the research building and the surrounding areas.

Architectural Drawings
Unveiled for First Time

A rendering of the south exterior of the research building.

ST. LOUIS -- Nine acres of Midtown St. Louis adjacent to Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center will see a big change in the next few years.

Saint Louis University announced today that its largest-ever building project -- $80 million in new and enhanced research facilities -- will find a home near the intersection of Grand and Chouteau avenues, providing a new anchor for the Health Sciences Center and its growing research programs.

"Our Research Building project will further transform the Midtown area near our Health Sciences Center," said University President Lawrence Biondi, SJ. "But more importantly, this building will house researchers who have the potential to transform our world through cutting edge advances in science and monumental discoveries in medicine."

SLU unveiled today to faculty and staff architectural drawings for a 206,000-square-foot research building, a contemporary steel, brick and glass structure that is part of the $80 million investment in new research facilities. SLU officials also announced this morning a website with more information about the building.

The project includes $64 million for construction of the new building and $16 million for renovation of existing space at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The building's design already is generating buzz for its forward-thinking, highly functional approach and exquisite look.

"This is going to be the most prominent building to rise in the city of St. Louis in a decade," predicts Kent Turner, regional director of Cannon Design and project principal.

The new research building consists of a 10-story tower at the north end with the two lowest floors extending toward the south and connecting in a covered walkway to Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where additional research facilities and training space are located.

The research building will offer plenty of dedicated lab space, essential to competing for project funding.

"This is a structure with a design that looks to our future rather than to the past," adds renowned architect George Nikolajevich, who is the design principal. "It will anchor the Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center."

"The Campaign for Saint Louis University: Where Knowledge Touches Lives," the University's current $300 million comprehensive campaign, will help fund construction of the building. A combination of public and private support will make the building a reality.

"We are actively seeking donors for the new research building and are encouraged by the response so far from alumni and friends of the University, " said Don Whelan, vice president for development and University relations at Saint Louis University.

The need for a new facility became apparent during the last several years as Saint Louis University researchers attracted more funding for their research. SLU's research funding from the National Institutes of Health increased 120 percent from 1998 to 2002. "We have outstanding researchers who are landlocked and can't expand," said Robert Webster, Ph.D., associate provost for research. "We are essentially space poor for growing our research programs." SLU has several areas of emphasis on its research agenda, including infectious diseases/ virology, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver disease and neurosciences.

With this major upgrade in facilities, Saint Louis University will have an advantage in retaining existing faculty, recruiting new researchers and seeking federal grants and other public and private funds.

"This will significantly enhance the University's research and academic standing on a national scale," said Joe Weixlmann, Ph.D., who as provost is the University's chief academic officer. Patricia L. Monteleone, M.D., dean of the SLU School of Medicine, says the new facilities will give the University an edge as it competes for research dollars and world-class researchers.

The research building at night.

"The new research building, with its dedicated laboratory space, leading-edge technology and entrepreneurial environment, will be a powerful recruitment tool for continuing to attract world-class faculty," she said. A date for ground breaking has not yet been set.

Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center offers the widest range of health professions schools among U.S. Catholic medical centers. In addition to having the first School of Medicine west of the Mississippi River, the Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center includes the Edward and Margaret Doisy School of Allied Health Professions, the School of Nursing, the Center for Advanced Dental Education, the School of Public Health and the Center for Health Care Ethics.

Saint Louis University is a leading Catholic, Jesuit research institution ranked among the top 50 national, doctoral universities as a best value by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1818, the University strives to foster the intellectual and spiritual growth of its 11,000 students through a broad array of undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs on campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain.

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