Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Construction of Interim Science Building Completed at Saint Louis University

  • 09/08/17

St. Louis Science BuildingMcCarthy Building Companies, Inc. has completed the conversion of a former charter elementary school into an interim science building for Saint Louis University (SLU). The 50,000-sq.-ft. renovation, which was undertaken and opened in time for fall 2017 semester, now houses research, teaching and office space for the University’s Department of Biology. Located on SLU’s South Campus, the new facilities will serve students, researchers and faculty while the University renovates Macelwane Hall, which experienced a fire and subsequent water damage in May 2017.

McCarthy completed the fast-track construction project in seven weeks to ensure the building would be ready for the start of classes on August 28.

“We quickly mobilized our team and collaborated closely with SLU’s staff and Fox Architects to convert the vacant school into a state-of-the-art science learning environment,” says Ryan Freeman, vice president at McCarthy Building Companies. “The project involved a lot of hands-on ingenuity and innovation to meet the very quick timeframe.”

To avoid project delays and reduce costs, the construction team proactively surveyed and sourced laboratory casework and equipment salvaged from the fire, then reworked it to fit the programs and layout in the new spaces. 

Located at the corner of Spring and Chouteau Avenues, the former Imagine charter elementary school building required installation of lab exhaust and other systems and equipment, as well as extensive rework of mechanical and electrical systems to accommodate advanced research and teaching labs. 

“We relied on McCarthy’s efficiency and specialized expertise in building complex research and education spaces to complete the project on time,” says Dustin Montgomery, assistant director of construction services of Saint Louis University.

Featured

  • Round Rock ISD Completes New Early College High School

    Round Rock ISD near Austin, Texas, recently announced that construction is complete on a new, 46,500-square-foot campus for Early College High School, according to a news release. The new facility will allow the school’s students and staff to move from portables into a permanent building and increase its enrollment to 500.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

Digital Edition