Science Square: The Future is at Georgia Tech

In our bodies, enzymes act as catalysts to speed up biochemical reactions, helping with everything from digesting our food to powering our cells. Without these vital proteins, reactions would slow down, and we couldn't survive.

On the west edge of campus, Georgia Tech's newest innovation hub is set to be a catalyst of a different kind for the life sciences and biotechnology. Science Square is an 18-acre multi-phase development that encompasses residential units, retail, restaurants, and more than 1.8 million square feet of lab and office space.

"Science Square will be an ecosystem for the life sciences," says Tony Zivalich, Georgia Tech's associate vice president of Real Estate Development.

The planned district is located at North Avenue and Northside Drive, across the street from the North Avenue Research Area (NARA). The initial construction phase, which includes Science Square Labs and The Grace, a 280-unit residential building, is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2024. Developers plan to fully develop the district within 10 years.

The new district will expand the Institute's presence from Tech Square in Midtown Atlanta to the westside communities and beyond. "Science Square is double the space that Tech Square was originally planned to be," Zivalich says. "It will be the bookend to Tech Square, connecting the east with the west."

Connecting Science Square to Georgia Tech

A $46 million pedestrian breezeway will connect campus with the new district and the westside communities beyond. The Westside Community Connector Bridge will cross over North Avenue and connect to campus where Georgia Tech plans to develop Arts Square in the former Randall Brothers development. Ultimately, the bridge will connect to the John Lewis Student Center, says Zivalich. "Like the Fifth Street Bridge to the east that connects Tech Square...what we're trying to do is create a similar connection on the westside to better physically connect to the westside communities," he says. "From the bridge, you will be able to see panoramic views of Vine City, Buckhead, and Downtown."

In the Heart of the Westside

"We want to create opportunities for community members to work and live in Science Square, not just look at Science Square," Zivalich says. Trammell Crow along with CalSTRS has committed $500,000 in community engagement projects to the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods, including scholarships for workforce development and teacher training programs to prepare community members to work in Science Square. Over the course of the five phase development, Trammell Crow has committed to investing $2.5 million. In partnership with the Atlanta Housing Authority, a portion of the district's residential space will also include affordable housing units.

Purpose-Built Labs

Science Square Labs, a 13-story lab and office tower, was designed from "the inside out" to accommodate life sciences companies in all stages of their growth, says Katherine Lynch, a principal with Trammell Crow Company's Atlanta office. The electrical and mechanical infrastructure was tailored to support state-of-the art cleanrooms and wet labs critical for research. The building was also designed with more rigidity than a typical office tower to prevent vibrational noises from interfering with sensitive microscopes. The building uses network power, reducing reliance on distribution power, and it includes three generators to ensure labs continue to operate, even in emergencies. The mechanical systems on the top floor include 4½ miles of piping that provides 100% fresh air to lab areas. Two freight elevators ensure ample space to transport chemicals and waste in and out of the building.

Sustainable Design

Electrochromic windows throughout the building tint during the day and block UV rays so tenants can enjoy unobstructed views of Atlanta's skyline without window blinds. This also reduces dust and pathogens. The building is designed to meet LEED Gold Certification and includes solar panels on the parking deck.

An Incubator for Life Sciences Startups

BioSpark Labs is situated within the Science Square district. The BSL2 shared lab includes co-working areas, private wet labs, an ISO 8 cleanroom, and capital equipment—everything to support a life sciences startup. "The goal is that you'll outgrow our spaces and eventually move to Science Square Labs," says Ryan Lawler, MS Bio 12, MBA 15, general manager of BioSpark Labs (pictured left).

Five companies are currently located in BioSpark Labs, including SynthBiome, a Georgia Tech spinoff from the Whiteley Lab in the School of Biological Sciences that uses bioinformatics models that outperform animal models for research purposes such as studying antibacterial resistance. OrthoPreserve is another company in BioSpark Labs that was founded by a Georgia Tech grad (CEO Jonathan Schwartz, MS ME 18). The company focuses on a meniscus implant for knee pain treatment. Other tenants are working to develop mRNA therapeutics, cancer immunotherapy, and MedTech for brain cancer. "We have MedTech, bacterial and viral research here. And we're agnostic, so we don't only take Georgia Tech spinoffs; we're committed to supporting everyone in the life sciences and MedTech arena," Lawler says.

'Scientists Are Humans, Too'

Science Square Labs will include Class A amenities such as a fitness center, shared conference and board rooms, 24/7 onsite security, concierge services, and a coffee shop. "We like to say that scientists are humans, too," says Lynch. The district will include ground-floor restaurant and retail space positioned around an open-air courtyard. A few hundred feet from the district is a Beltline spur trail and the West Midtown Echo Street development on Northside Drive.

"We're building 280 residential units, along with the first building to be done in March," Lynch says. Approximately 250 more units are expected later.

"The goal is for tenants to not only want to work in Science Square, but to live here, too," Lynch says.