Industry News

Emerson College will break ground on its new 185,000-sf dormitory in early 2004. Sited in midtown Boston, the 600-bed project dubbed "Piano Row" will facilitate completion of the college's relocation from its previous Back Bay location. Designed by Stubbins Associates of Cambridge, the building will stand 14 stories above ground with three underground stories including a tournament-regulation basketball court. Completion is expected by fall of 2006.

Synthon Pharmaceuticals is planning to build a new $20 million pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Mebane, N.C. The 130,000-sf building will house corporate offices, R&D, and drug manufacturing operations. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2004. Synthon Pharmaceuticals is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Netherlands-based Synthon B.V.

Poway Unified School District has selected Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc. to build the $23 million Oak Valley Middle School. Designed by NTD Architects of San Diego, the 106,000-sf school will be comprised of five classroom buildings, administrative offices, a gymnasium, a multipurpose room, and outdoor sport facilities. Construction will begin in January 2004 and reach completion in May of 2005.

Biocom, a San Diego life sciences group, will work with educational and corporate organizations to create the San Diego Multiuse Biotechnology Training Center. The planned facility will train San Diego's future biotech workforce and will be funded by government grants and public-private partnerships.  

Toppan Optical Products has opened a new $40 million, 94,000-sf plant in Poway, Calif. The facility accommodates production manufacturing using computerized controls in a cleanroom environment.