Case Western Reserve Opens New Research Building

The 189,000-square-foot facility serves as the launchpad for a $2.5 billion fundraising campaign.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Philanthropy

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern academic research building with brick and steel structures, representing a new university research facility. — Case Western Reserve University has inaugurated the $300 million Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building, serving as the cornerstone for a new $2.5 billion capital campaign. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Case Western Reserve University officially opened the $300 million Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building in Cleveland. The new facility houses 65 faculty members and 300 researchers while serving as the kickoff for a $2.5 billion university fundraising drive.

Why it matters

The center is designed to unite scientists and engineers in open-concept laboratory spaces to tackle complex interdisciplinary research challenges. It represents a significant infrastructure expansion for the university, bolstered by major private and institutional funding.

The 189,000-square-foot facility was funded through $165 million in donor contributions and university century bond matching funds. This investment supports 65 faculty members and 300 researchers working across seven research clusters.

The players

Roger E. Susi

A 1977 alumnus of Case Western Reserve University who contributed $50 million to the project.

Case Western Reserve University

A private research university in Cleveland that launched the Breakthrough Point campaign.

Mandel foundations

A philanthropic organization that announced a $125 million gift to the university in April 2026.

The details

The building features open structures and labs specifically engineered to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration. The project was made possible by combining individual philanthropy, including a $50 million gift from Roger E. Susi, with university bond programs.

1977: Roger E. Susi graduates from Case Western Reserve University.
2019: Susi donates $2 million for the first-year engineering program.
2023: Susi initially commits $25 million to the research building project.
April 2026: The university announces a $125 million gift from the Mandel foundations.
October 22, 2026: Case Western Reserve University opens the new research building.

Market Landscape

The building opening serves as the strategic anchor for the university's $2.5 billion Breakthrough Point fundraising campaign. This investment positions the institution to attract top-tier research talent against peer universities through modernized, collaborative facilities.

The new facility increases the university's capacity for scientific innovation in Cleveland, potentially driving local job growth in engineering and technology sectors. Residents and local stakeholders can expect the university to continue expanding its research footprint through the $2.5 billion campaign.

The takeaway

Large-scale interdisciplinary projects rely heavily on long-term donor relationships and strategic bond matching to reach completion. Institutional growth often mirrors these phased capital campaigns, creating new hubs for professional collaboration.