University of Miami Health's Griffin Cancer Research Building Leads the Next Era of Translational Medicine

The University of Miami Health System is transforming cancer care and research in South Florida with the opening of the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building. Representing an investment of over $250 million, the state-of-the-art facility was designed by HOK to seamlessly integrate biomedical discovery with world-class patient treatment. The 244,000-sf structure doubles the footprint of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and provides the Miller School of Medicine with leading-edge research environments for collaborative team science. On six floors, thematically focused lab neighborhoods allow experimentalists, computational scientists, clinicians, and public-health researchers to come together in shared settings, empowered by dry labs that leverage AI and machine learning technologies to turn breakthroughs into life-saving therapies. This bench-to-beside model strengthens connectivity across tumor biology, cancer epigenetics, translational and clinical oncology, and cancer control, enabling insights to move rapidly between disciplines and optimize health outcomes.

The second, third and fourth floors are devoted to healing, offering a clinic with 27 infusion bays, advanced imaging suites, and an onsite pharmacy, augmented by a range of patient-centric support services and amenities. An office level promotes engagement among investigators and practitioners, and an elevated garden terrace with outdoor seating fosters wellbeing and renewal. Accommodating up to 1,000 staff members including oncologists, geneticists, data scientists, and epidemiologists, the project will also drive the growth of external partnerships with leading universities, pharmaceutical companies, and medical institutions around the globe.

Whiting-Turner was the general contractor for the sustainable facility, which will accelerate the development of personalized medicine solutions tailored to genetic, molecular, and environmental factors. Ground was broken in June of 2022 and the building officially opened in fall of 2025, with the structure expected to achieve LEED Silver certification. The project team included Affiliated Engineers, Inc., Kimley-Horn, SOCOTEC, Lerch Bates, and Colin Gordon Associates.