Point Hope, SC
SCRA MUSC Innovation Center of Charleston
An abandoned mattress factory in downtown Charleston gains new life as the SCRA/Charleston Innovation Center, a collaborative biomedical research facility designed to support emerging start-up companies.
- Location
- Charleston, SC
- Square Footage
- 28,000
- Awards
Excellence in Construction Award, $2-$5 Million Renovation, Associated Builders & Contractors of the Carolinas
- Market Sector
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Attributes
- Civic & Government, Repeat Client, Award Winner, Adaptive Reuse
Development Overview
Historic Factory Reimagined for Research
Located in historic downtown Charleston approximately two miles from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) campus, the abandoned and former Weil's Sleep Products mattress factory is dramatically transformed into the home of the SCRA/Charleston Innovation Center. The former, dilapidated industrial building is renovated to include research and laboratory space through a collaborative effort between the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), MUSC and the City of Charleston.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Built to Support Biomedical Innovation
Restoration of the façade preserves the original brick and refurbishes the existing windows, while the roof is completely replaced. Inside, new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression systems support wet laboratories designed to help MUSC attract and launch biomedical start-up companies. The building also includes administrative offices, meeting rooms, and a City of Charleston police substation.
The Innovation Center is part of a broader effort to revitalize Charleston’s West Side through a biomedical research hub, public amenities, new housing, and retail development.
I have never had such a positive experience in my entire career as I did in working with [Choate's team of] professionals. Not once did I feel like they were the vendor and I was the customer. I constantly felt like we were all on the same team working to complete this project on time and on budget while providing both functionality and quality.
John Gregg, Executive Vice President, SCRA
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