The new venue will span about 90,000 square feet and host a variety of spaces and resources—including research laboratories, gathering areas and lecture halls. Photo Credit: Harvard Jolly

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University of Miami Moves Ahead on $36M Science Institute

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By SCN Staff

CORAL GABLES, Fla.—Skanska, a global construction and development firm, has announced it was selected to lead construction on the new Frost Institute of Chemistry and Molecular Science for the University of Miami that will be part of the institution’s main campus in Coral Gables.

The approximately 90,000-square-foot project includes imaging and science research laboratories, administrative and research offices, a lecture hall, a multipurpose gathering space, and associated building support spaces. The project will also include the construction of the associated site work and underground utilities.

Designed by architecture firm Harvard Jolly Architecture, the project is expected to break ground by the end of the year and is slated for completion in summer 2022. The new facility will also be seeking to achieve a minimum of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification, joining other Skanska built projects including the Mercedes-Benz U.S Headquarters and Town of Andover, Bancroft Elementary School.

“Skanska is honored to have been entrusted once again by the University of Miami with this new assignment,” said Michael C. Brown, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska’s Florida building operations. “As a company, we continue to specialize and focus on developing research and academic buildings for universities throughout Florida that will have a positive impact in their local communities and beyond through their work and studies.”

The institute will bring together scientists from several molecular-based disciplines to do collaborative research work, using approaches relying on molecular design, discovery, and development.

This will be Skanska’s second project on behalf of the University of Miami, having completed the Patricia Louise Frost Music Studios, which was selected as Project of the Year for the Urban Land Institute’s Vision Awards, in 2015. Skanska is currently working on the University of South Florida’s (USF) Research Park Mixed Use Lab & Office project in Tampa and recently delivered the USF Health’s Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa.

Skanska is headquartered in New York City, with offices in 28 metro areas with 7,900 employees nationwide. Harvard Jolly Architecture was founded in 1938 and is one of the largest firms in Florida—offering services in architecture, interior design and landscape architecture.