Mortenson breaks ground on next Fitzsimons bioscience building

The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority broke ground recently on a new bioscience building at the Fitzsimons Innovation Community, a major milestone in the development of the 125-acre property, which will house laboratories, apartments, schools and hotels in the years ahead.

The three-story, 115,000-square-foot Bioscience 3 building marks the continued northward expansion of the growing Fitzsimons Innovation Community across the old Fitzsimons Golf Course. The building will house a variety of companies and scientists working collaboratively to turn leading-edge research into medical products and services.

“This new building is yet another example of how the bioscience innovation process continues to thrive on this campus. It’s a virtuous cycle,” said CU Anschutz Chancellor Don Elliman. “We’re providing a clear path for our faculty to take ideas into the commercial realm, which enables us to attract top talent, who generate further innovation – all for the ultimate benefit of the health of people in Colorado and beyond.”

The two current bioscience buildings house more than 65 companies and are typically at capacity. Bioscience 3 will allow existing companies to grow and new companies to take advantage of the amenities offered in the Fitzsimons Innovation Campus. There are also plans for a Bioscience 4, 5 and 6 on the property along with an elementary school, science and technology middle and high school, hotels, hundreds of apartments and more in the years ahead. The new light-rail station adds enhanced transportation options to the campus.

Mortenson is the developer and design-builder of Bioscience 3, leveraging its national experience developing such innovative biotech communities as Discovery Square adjacent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. MOA Architecture is the architect.

“We’re excited to formally break ground on this project, a catalyst for the next phase of development on the Fitzsimons Innovation Community that’s now open for business here in Colorado,” said Taber Sweet, director of development for Mortenson.

“We are looking at several unique options such as ‘co-labbing’ and incubator spaces that we believe will help provide the biotech community with the top-level tools and support they need to do their most innovative and best work. It’s truly an opportunity to build a facility for the advancement of modern society,” he said.

Bioscience 3 will house laboratories, research bays, open offices, office suites, flexible warehouse and distribution space. Amenities will include a 100-seat flexible auditorium, shared conference facilities, a café with outdoor seating, and covered parking. The building is scheduled to open in 2019 at an estimated cost of about $55 million.