UChicago Medicine Proposed New $328 Million Laboratory
The four-story research facility in Washington Park aims to centralize operations and expand diagnostic testing.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Life Sciences
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UChicago Medicine has submitted an application to construct a 144,368-square-foot laboratory facility on East Garfield Boulevard in Chicago. The $328 million project will relocate 350 existing staff members and add 200 new positions.
Why it matters
The new site replaces basement laboratories in Hyde Park that are prone to water damage from heavy rain. This development also scales laboratory capacity to support the upcoming AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion, which is scheduled to open in 2027.
The proposed four-story building spans 144,368 square feet and requires formal approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. The project is designed to accommodate growth in lab testing services.
The players
UChicago Medicine
This is an academic health system based in Chicago that provides medical research and clinical care.
City Colleges of Chicago
This is a community college system that offers educational programs including clinical lab technology.
Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board
This state regulatory body oversees the approval of major healthcare capital projects in Illinois.
AbbVie Foundation
This is a philanthropic organization that supports cancer research and the development of specialized healthcare facilities.
Chicago Transit Authority
This government agency manages public transportation infrastructure and owns the land for the proposed learning center.
The details
The facility will consolidate pathology laboratories currently scattered across the Hyde Park campus into one centralized building. City Colleges of Chicago plans to build a $40 million learning center on adjacent land owned by the Chicago Transit Authority to support clinical lab training.
Timeline
UChicago Medicine first announced the laboratory project in 2024.
The laboratory was originally expected to break ground in 2025.
A community meeting to discuss the facility will occur on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
The AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion is expected to open in 2027.
The Big Picture
The project follows the established health facility construction protocols required by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. This oversight ensures that major clinical infrastructure expansion aligns with regional healthcare capacity standards.
The construction of the adjacent learning center provides a career pathway for residents, with clinical lab technology graduates earning between $42,000 and $80,000 annually. The center is expected to serve up to 800 students each year.
The takeaway
Centralizing research infrastructure helps protect sensitive laboratory operations from environmental threats like flooding. This project highlights a regional shift toward integrating clinical training centers with specialized medical research hubs.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research infrastructure updates in Chicago Life Sciences.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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