Industry News

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. has plans for a 227,000-sf expansion at its headquarters in Hercules. The biotechnology company, which manufactures medical equipment, is expanding its life science division which supplies genomic and proteomic products to research organizations and universities. Additional offices, R&D space, and possibly a commons building are included in the project. Bio-Rad's 67-acre site could accommodate yet another 757,000 sf of construction should that become necessary.

Aventis SA, based in Strasbourg, France, is expanding its Genomics Center in Cambridge. Completion of the $3 million renovation, which will improve lab and office space at the pharmaceutical company, is anticipated in mid-July. Kennedy & Rossi Inc. of Lexington, Mass., is in charge of the project.

Nortel Networks Corp., based in Toronto, Canada, has plans to expand its 837,000-sf seven-building campus in Santa Clara with two six-story towers. The added 636,000 sf could accommodate approximately 2,000 employees engaged in R&D of technology. Pending approval by the planning commission and the city in May, ground breaking could begin in late summer.

Paul Ecke Agricultural Research Park, a 125,000-sf research facility for agricultural biotechnology companies, is seeking a major use permit from the Encinitas Planning Commission. If approved, construction would begin with a 50,000-sf laboratory building on a ten-acre site adjacent to the Ecke poinsettia ranch. San Diego, Calif.-based McGraw/Baldwin Architects Inc. designed the facility. Greenhouses are also planned for the site and all lab buildings will have greenhouse windows.

Laboratories for the 21st CenturySeptember 6-8, 2000Renaissance Parc 55 HotelSan Francisco, California