By leveraging a P3, it is expected to result in the most efficient and cost-effective project completion, aiming to redefine medical education and contribute to the advancement of health sciences research collaboration in the region. Through shared resources and innovative design, the School of Medicine at the University of South Carolina aspires to become a model for future academic and health sciences research collaborations. The School of Medicine will include an approximately 308,000-square-foot medical education and multidisciplinary research building with innovative laboratories, simulation centers, and collaborative spaces to foster interdisciplinary research and innovation among students, faculty, and health sciences research professionals.
Additionally, the project emphasizes sustainability and inclusivity, with plans for green spaces, including an outdoor courtyard and garden, with technology integration, and accessibility features to create a campus that meets the diverse needs of its community. The development team in concert with the University of South Carolina has set a goal to reach 30 percent MWBE subcontracting participation for design and construction entities for this project. Throughout the project, the team will be connecting with stakeholders and engaging the broader community to foster a collaborative approach that will create a positive impact on the community and help achieve a shared vision. “Gilbane is excited by the board’s recent approval for the project to move forward, as we appreciate its unprecedented nature and the transformational effect it will have upon both USC and the broader community,” said John Keegan, Senior Vice President of Gilbane Development Company. “We look forward to continuing stakeholder outreach and engagement as we commence the next phase of design, with an eye toward breaking ground by the end of 2024 and opening for students, faculty, staff, and researchers for the fall semester of 2027.”
Brian Steed, Vice President and South Carolina Business Leader for Gilbane Building Company, said, “We are honored to be a part of this talented team delivering the University of South Carolina’s new Health Sciences campus. This exciting project will result in a prestigious facility that will benefit the entire state of South Carolina by creating jobs, attracting top-tier talent, and educating the state’s future medical professionals.” “As a long time trusted USC design partner, we are especially honored and excited to blend the urban character of the BullStreet District with the timelessness of university architecture,” said Heather Mitchell, AIA, President of BOUDREAUX. “This building will be a landmark in downtown Columbia and a place of pride for USC as a showcase for the School of Medicine and health sciences research.”
Construction on the project is slated to begin in Q4 2024, with estimated completion in Q3 2027.
