Sweden-based builder and developer Skanska topped out a $350 million biotech facility at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on Oct. 6, according to a news release.
The Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology will span 355,809 square feet across five stories upon completion, per the release. It will provide modern, flexible laboratory space, expanded research and core capabilities and an area for researchers and partnering biotechnology companies, the contractor said.
UVA broke ground on the building in 2023 on the heels of a $100 million donation from the eponymous philanthropists Paul and Diane Manning. Paul Manning is the founder of PBM Products, a large private label producer of formula and food for both infants and toddlers.
In addition to the Mannings' funds, the university contributed $150 million to the facility and the commonwealth of Virginia $100 million, per a UVA release. The project is also backed by $50 million in anonymous gifts, which have yet to be designated, Eric Swensen, public information officer for the university, told Construction Dive in an email.
College campuses have seen construction delays amid rising costs, enrollment shifts and stalled federal research and infrastructure funding. For example, Yale University paused 10 construction projects in June on the heels of federal funding uncertainty. In Virginia specifically, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed over $600 million worth of funding requests for construction and renovations on 10 public university projects in the state in May.
UVA underwent its own turmoil this year when President James Ryan resigned during a civil rights investigation by the Justice Department amid President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign on higher education and DEI initiatives, according to the New York Times.
The overall trend has translated into questions around budget outlays for higher education institutions.
“While flagship projects continue to break ground, many universities are rethinking scale and scope amid rising costs and funding uncertainty,” Matt Kidwell, project executive for Skanska, told Construction Dive via email. “Deferred maintenance remains a major challenge and customers are getting creative to add those needs into current project scopes.”
The institute is located at Fontaine Research Park, a large collection of facilities dedicated to scientific research. Once complete, the biotech center will focus on the research, development, commercialization and manufacturing of new cellular, gene and immunotherapies.
“This world-class biotechnology facility is an investment in life sciences innovation and capabilities that will shape the future of research and discovery throughout the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Mark Balling, executive vice president of Skanska USA Building’s Mid-Atlantic region, in the release.
Skanska expects construction to be completed in the fourth quarter 2027.
