Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building

The Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building (NRB), completed in 2023, stands as one of the world’s largest and most advanced neuroscience research facilities. Located at 4370 Duncan Avenue in the Cortex Innovation District of St. Louis, this 11-story, 609,000-square-foot facility represents a $616 million investment by WashU Medicine. Designed by CannonDesign and constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, the NRB reflects the institution’s commitment to advancing human health through transformative, translational neuroscience.

Purposefully built to accelerate discovery through collaboration, the NRB unites over 95 research teams previously spread across 11 locations. These teams span key departments, including Neurology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology, Genetics, Radiology, Pediatrics, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, and Developmental Biology. Rather than assigning space by department, the building is organized around interdisciplinary research themes, including brain tumor biology, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS), psychiatric illnesses, pain, neurogenomics, and neuroimmunology. Its architectural design includes flexible lab modules, shared equipment zones, and open-plan team spaces to enable seamless collaboration and scientific exchange.

The building houses several advanced centers and research cores, including the Tracy Family Stable Isotope Labeling Quantitation (SILQ), Center for Neurodegenerative Biology, which focuses on identifying biomarkers and improving diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as ALS, MS, frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer’s. The SILQ Center’s precision isotope techniques support drug discovery and predictive diagnostics. A newly established biobank on the second floor supports the collection, processing, and storage of human tissue samples, integral to translational neuroscience. Additional core facilities include the Brain Microanatomy Core, Genome Engineering and iPSC Center, Genome Technology Access Center (GTAC), the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, and the Center for High Performance Computing.

The NRB features dedicated vivariums and surgical suites for studies in the basement and on six research floors, with an additional two floors of shell space, ensuring research continuity and data integrity. Supported by an on-site power plant, it provides critical infrastructure resilience for temperature-sensitive samples, high-throughput computing, and essential laboratory systems. The building includes seminar rooms, collaboration lounges, a roof terrace, and a Kaldi’s Coffee shop to promote community engagement. LEED Gold certified, it boasts a 1,846-car parking structure, including 36 electric vehicle parking spots with pedestrian access to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital garage, enhancing campus connectivity. Designed for scalability, the facility accommodates around 1,000 faculty and staff, potentially expanding to 1,350.

The Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building symbolizes hope, resilience, and scientific purpose. Through its integration of infrastructure, expertise, and institutional vision, it positions WashU Medicine as a global leader in understanding, diagnosing, and treating the most complex brain and nervous system disorders.

The NRB is a private building that does not provide building tours or event space for external groups. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Rockwell-Hopkins or Jamie Ryan.

SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION

July 2023

OCCUPANCY

Phased occupancy from July 2023 to December 2023

PROJECT TEAM

Cannon Design – architect
Perkins+Will – architect
Cannon Design/AEI – engineer
McCarthy Construction – general contractor

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CORE TEAM

Project Executive: Melissa Rockwell-Hopkins, Ed.D, SHRM SCP, FMP, SFP
Executive Project Manager: Steve Sobo
Construction Manager: Mitch Snyder
Space Programming: Mariah Harris
Laboratory Design & Project Activation Leader: David Lott
Specialty Spaces Planning, Project Management & Activation: David Lott & Steve Sobo
Project Communication & Project Assistant: Stephanie Maples
FF&E, Interior & Relocation Planning: Hannah Jefferies
Activation & Logistics: Raema Howell
Shared & Public Spaces: Lacey Luitjohan & Lauren Hurt

OFMD Support Team

For Labs NRB Executive Director: David Lott
For Labs NRB Building Manager: Amanda Corgan
Facilities & Events Coordinator: Sherina Watts
Front Desk & Events Coordinator: Mary Hammett
Facilities Maintenance Technicians: Shannon Mullins & Michael Davis
2nd Shift Custodial Supervisor: Patrick Shumway
1st Shift Senior Custodian: Cindy Oggesen
Facilities Maintenance Supervisor: John Atkins
Audiovisual Technician I: BJ Kraiberg
Transportation & Parking Facilities Coordinator: Jonas Tshimpanga & Robert Stewart
Mail & Receiving Services Team Lead: Ron Wilkins
NRB Receiving/Delivery Clerk: JaMee Reed