WashU Medicine completed construction in the fall of 2024 of a six-floor expansion on top of the Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health building, which sits at the center of the Medical Campus. The addition, estimated to cost $165 million, will include 160,000 net assignable square feet (NASF) of state-of-the-art laboratory space.
The expansion includes a 7,900 NASF biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) or high-containment laboratory to support research on infectious viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis. BSL-3 laboratories utilize specialized ventilation and other systems that safely enable the study of viruses that spread through the air, allowing scientists to develop diagnostic tools, treatments, and vaccines — all essential steps in controlling epidemics.
The building expansion also includes a 7,800 NASF Biologic Therapy Core Facility, which follows Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations (enforced by the Food and Drug Administration) for the development of cellular therapies to treat cancer. Additionally, the expansion features 100,000 NASF of new laboratory space and approximately 44,000 NASF of mechanical building-support areas.
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION
Fall 2024
PROJECT TEAM
Lawrence Group – architect, landscape, LEED
Stock & Associates – civil engineer
KPFF – structural engineer
IMEG, Inc. – mechanical engineer
McClure Engineering – commissioning agent and vibration/acoustical consultant
Alberici Healthcare, LLC – construction manager
WASHU MEDICINE PROJECT TEAM
Project Executive Sponsor: Melissa Rockwell-Hopkins, Ed.D, SHRM SCP, FMP, SFP
Project Manager: Lauren Leonard
Project Manager: John Hardin
Project Coordinator: Stephanie Maples
Interior Design: Hannah Jefferies
Furniture Design: Caroline Kotowski
Facilities Director: Mark Hume
Critical Facilities Project Manager: Joe Rein
Critical Facilities Supervisor: Mike Brown
Area Supervisor – BJCIH: James Sweeney
Building Maintenance Technician – BJCIH: Josh Jenkins
Final Project Photos
Resources & Communication
- ENRMidwest (08/06/25) Midwest Best Project Awards
- BJCIH Vertical Expansion – Project Fact Sheet
- Dean Announce, Message from the Dean (1/26/2022)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – January/February 2022 Town Halls
- KMOV4 (12/9/2021) “Lipstein BJC Institute of Health to expand six floors at Washington University School of Medicine”
- Ongoing Operations (April 2022 – September 2023)
- Site Preparations (January – March 2022)
- Supporting Clinical Care – BJC Campus Renewal
- The Record (12/9/2021) “School of Medicine to expand Lipstein BJC Institute of Health building”
- The Record (1/26/2022) “Construction to expand BJC Institute of Health building to begin Feb. 2”
- ENRMidwest (03/13/2023) “Washington University School of Medicine spearheads new projects”
- Transformation continues on the Medical Campus — above and below the surface