MINNEAPOLIS, MN Mortenson announces the design and location for its first building in the Destination Medical Center (DMC) Discovery Square development in Rochester, Minnesota. Designed for life science research and innovation, the new building features a tenant-focused, amenity-rich design. Groundbreaking on the project is planned for late 2017 with a target completion date in 2019.

With its close physical linkage to Mayo Clinic, this building will provide an authentic urban experience that supports a unique environment for community amenities, collaborative culture and a one-of-a-kind innovative ecosystem.  

Highlights:

The 60,000-plus-square-foot facility will be ideally situated at the corner of 4th Street SW and 2nd Avenue SW in the 16-block Discovery Square sub-district, pending final approval
Unique, integrated design with flexible, open workspaces that allow tenants to adapt to ever-changing needs in the life science industry  
Common spaces will be centralized within the building to promote collaboration among tenants
Building orientation, massing, wall / roof construction, and mechanical systems will capitalize on high performing systems for increased energy efficiency
Located near the historic Mayo Clinic campus and the Gonda Building, adjacent to Mayo Clinic's Guggenheim, Hilton and Stabile Buildings
Proximity to Collider, an entrepreneurial ecosystem for tech innovators and collaborators in Rochester
Walking score of 74; Walking distance to the heart of Rochester's Historic Southwest neighborhood, including restaurants, bars, coffee shops, retail and more

Designed by the team of RSP Architects and HOK, the new building will enhance connections and enable collaboration among tenants to share ideas and test and build new products. Its design will help tenants accelerate the translation of the most promising health-related therapies and technologies to meet the unmet needs of patients and bring solutions to patients sooner.

"Innovation and collaboration are the bedrock of Discovery Square, yet both require a great deal of intentionality," said Jeremy Jacobs, Development Executive at Mortenson. "RSP and HOK have integrated best practices from across the world to ensure that tenants will have unrivaled access to spaces that facilitate and encourage collaboration."

"One of the project's guiding design principles is to create something completely different for Rochester and for life science research," said Jon Buggy, AIA, Principal, RSP Architects. "Life-enhancing scientific and therapeutic breakthroughs will happen here. Appropriately, this first life science building is planned and designed to establish a very strong visual and programmatic presence for the promise of Discovery Square; science and discovery will be on display - open to, engaging, and committed to the innovation community and public realm of Rochester."

"Development of Discovery Square is a major step forward for the world of life science research," said Eli Hoisington, AIA, LEED AP, HOK's Design Principal. "Discovery Square will be a bridge to the mission of Mayo Clinic. Anchored by Mayo Clinic, the first phase will provide a new 'address' for the future of life science, research, education, technology, and innovation. We are extremely excited about this opportunity to bring our experience designing innovative research environments to this globally-important project."

Colliers will serve as the leasing agent and oversee tenant recruitment in partnership with Mortenson, the DMC Economic Development Agency, and many others. Discovery Square will be a densely populated and highly-connected urban life science hub, attracting the world's leading medical practitioners, educators, researchers, and businesses.