Construction Complete on Vertex Pharmaceuticals Research Center in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – BNBuilders, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals recently celebrated the grand opening of Vertex’s new research facility in San Diego, California with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Vertex’s new facility was developed by Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. with the building shell designed by LPA and interiors designed by DGA.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a biotech company focused on creating transformative medicines for people who have serious diseases. The company has had a research and development presence in San Diego for more than 15 years. Its San Diego research team is responsible for the discovery of three breakthrough cystic fibrosis medications. The new building in Torrey Pines is at the heart of San Diego’s biotech community. The 170,000-square-foot facility is double the size of Vertex’s former space, and can accommodate 250 employees. Within the LEED Gold-certified building, 70 percent of its space is dedicated to laboratory/research activities.

The building is designed with interior walls of glass, allowing the laboratories and ongoing scientific research to be seen throughout the building. The site has a 1,500-square-foot learning lab for STEM education programs, a 4,000-square-foot incubator suite for external collaboration and an air circulation system designed to bring in 100 percent outside air. Also, in honor of the discoveries made by its San Diego research team, the building’s lobby features an art display of 12 cystic fibrosis protein strands. With each strand measuring 10 feet tall and 10 inches in diameter, the strands allow visitors to interact with the art display through tactile touch.

BNBuilders and Vertex used virtual reality during the design stage of the project to review the functionality of laboratory spaces. The Vertex team also expanded the service to additional areas, including a variety of labs, common spaces, the lobby redesign and several of the architectural features.

Photos courtesy of BNBuilders.