Industry News

Boston's Emerson College recently held a topping off celebration for the Tuttle Center for Performance and Production, the first new facility to be built by the 120-year-old college. Designed by Elkus/Manfredi Architects, the 11-story project is being constructed by Lee Kennedy Co. and is slated for completion in spring of 2003.

Freedom Forum, a Northern Virginia-based nonprofit, is planning a $432-million media museum in Arlington. The original Newseum, which closed earlier this year, will be replaced with a 555,000-sf museum, retail and restaurant complex. Construction and equipment for the Newseum are expected to cost approximately $149.8 million. Designed by Polshek Partnership Architects and Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the facility is slated to begin construction in April of 2003. Completion is expected in 2006.

Sun Microsystems has selected Elaine Construction Co. as construction manager for a 70,000-sf renovation of Building No. 6 on the company's Burlington campus. Designed by ADD Inc. of Cambridge, the project includes renovations of a computer ranch and office areas and is slated for completion by August of 2002.

George Washington University Hospital is moving into a new 371-bed, six-level hospital in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington. The $100-million facility is the first hospital to open in the District in 25 years. Replacing a 501-bed hospital, the new building will feature increased technological and digital capacities. In addition to $20-million in equipment purchased over the last several years, the hospital will acquire $25-million in new equipment. Upon opening, operations of the hospital will be 85% digital, with completely digital operations within 18 months.

Advancis Pharmaceutical has broken ground on a lab, office, and manufacturing facility for drug development in Germantown. Advancis, based in Germantown, expects the 62,000-sf facility to reach completion in early 2003.