Corporate

Paradigm Genetics Inc. opened in March a new 20,000-sf Gene-Function Factory at their $25 million Center for Functional Genomics Research in RTP. The building houses six plant growth rooms with indirect lighting, as well as labs and offices. A second 50,000-sf structure is under construction with completion anticipated in fall 2000. It accommodates growth rooms, labs, offices, and a natural-light greenhouse. A 32,000-sf third building is scheduled to open in October 2000.

Cisco Systems Inc., based in San Jose, Calif., is considering the purchase of an additional 56-acre parcel in Boxborough where the company currently proposes building 1.8 million sf of office and research space at three sites that total 580 acres. The additional 56 acres would provide room for another 240,000-sf office facility for a total of more than two million sf in the area. Total costs are estimated at more than $200 million.

ISIS Papyrus, based in Vienna, Austria, is planning to consolidate its Dallas-area offices in a $6 million North American headquarters and training center near Dallas in Southlake. The new building is slated to begin construction in June; completion is anticipated in late 2000 or early 2001. The company provides business document software solutions.

Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., began its Phase V expansion in March. O'Brien Kreitzberg (OK) of San Francisco has been selected to provide program management for the $748 million project, which is scheduled for completion by the summer of 2003. The project involves development of the approximately 2.8 million-sf convention and exhibition facility as well as public improvements in and around the project site.

USAA plans to build a new western operations center at a 575-acre site in northern Phoenix, with completion scheduled for late 2002. USAA provides insurance and financial services.

Paradigm Genetics has broken ground on a $12.5 million, 54,000-sf lab and office campus on six acres in RTP. Eventually, the agricultural biotechnology company plans to develop a total of 284,000 sf on 22 acres at the site.

Shanghai Scienceland, China's first major science museum, has chosen the Los Angeles office of RTKL to design the interiors of the two-building facility. Five galleries, a large format theater, 3D dome theater, as well as an interior courtyard, restaurants, shops, and a multifunction hall will be housed in the main building.

The second building will accommodate a research library, labs, and support functions along with housing for visiting scholars. A bridge link will connect the two buildings.

FlightSafety Boeing Training International has chosen New York-based Parsons Brinckerhoff to provide architecture, engineering, and construction services for a new $73 million, 32,800-sf flight training center near London's Luton Airport. Ground was broken in late October 1999. The facility will house offices, lecture rooms, and training facilities including a four-bay flight simulator training center. Completion is anticipated in fall 2000.

The Jewish Community Center of New York City has retained ARAMARK Facility Services to provide an operational review of the mechanical and structural design for the Samuel Priest Rose Building being developed by the Center. The new $60 million, 130,000-gsf 16-level building houses a pool, gymnasium, locker rooms, fitness center, and aerobics studio. The facility also includes an art studio, auditorium, lounge, and office space.

ARAMARK will review capital and long-term operating costs, and address maintenance and serviceability improvements in the new building.

Cisco Systems, inc. is considering a 600,000-sf expansion consisting of office and research space at two sites in Boxborough. Cisco is also planning a 650,000-sf office complex in Littleton, Mass. The combined space at the three sites would approach 1.2 million sf, and would be built over a period of several years.

Cisco, based in San Jose, Calif., manufactures Internet equipment.

Nortel Networks has finished renovating its 76,000-sf office and R&D facility in Andover. The $1.7 million project was carried out by Spaulding & Slye Colliers of Boston.

De Lange Landen Financial Services, a subsidiary of Rabobank of the Netherlands, has completed construction on phase one of its new corporate headquarters in Wayne. The company, currently located in Berwyn, expects to finish the $35 million project in fall 2000.

CB Richard Ellis has been awarded a management contract by Douglas Development of Rockville, Md., for 90 Washington-area buildings totalling 4 million sf.

GTE Internetworking plans to double the size of its new corporate complex being developed by National Development of New England at the MetroNorth Corporate Center in Woburn. July 2000 is the scheduled opening of the company's 235,000-sf facility there. A 250,000-sf second building is planned, and now a possible third building is under consideration.

GTE Internetworking is based in Burlington and provides Internet access and runs Websites for major corporations.

American Nevada is working with general contractor McCarthy’s Las Vegas office for the construction of two office buildings on eight acres at the company’s Green Valley Corporate Center. Tilt-up construction is being used for the $4.3-million project to complete the buildings by April 2001. The 45,000-sf structures will feature finished lobbies, high performace reflective glass, and aluminum clad exterior balconies. McCarthy is also constructing surface parking at the site. The project architect is Howard F. Thompson Architects of Irvine, Calif.