Van Andel Institute
VAI Breaks Ground on Phase II— Project Scheduled for Completion Late 2009 Van Andel Institute (VAI) broke ground April 12, <strong>2007</strong>, on its $170 million, 241,000 square-foot, eight-story Phase II building expansion. When operating at capacity, the expansion will augment the existing 162,000 square-foot facility to support a $125 million annual research operation employing 800 researchers and administrative staff, providing approximately 500 additional jobs. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2009. “Phase II is a continuation of our vision to have an impact locally on education, regionally on the economy and internationally on life sciences,” said Van Andel Institute Chairman & CEO David Van Andel, who first announced the expansion in 2005, in celebration of the Institute’s fifth anniversary. Following an outdoor groundbreaking ceremony, Van Andel unveiled the interior design details of Phase II during an indoor presentation. The interior design will display elements that reflect the diversity of the Institute’s staff, which represents 17 different nations. The design also includes laboratories with a skylight roof over the laboratory space, which offers the highest quality environment for scientific research. In support of the expansion, local Michigan legislators presented David Van Andel with a resolution of tribute from the Michigan Legislature. Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, spoke on the impact that VAI has had on the developing life science industry in Michigan. “Grand Rapids is rapidly becoming a center for medical research.” —Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids “Grand Rapids is rapidly becoming a center for medical research, in large part because of the research efforts at the Van Andel Institute,” Ehlers said. “Thanks to the Phase II expansion, both our area and our nation will continue to benefit from groundbreaking discoveries at the Van Andel Institute, and our area will also experience economic benefits.” Designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, Phase II completes the promise of the physical facility planned in 1996. The expansion provides space for administrative offices and will nearly triple the Institute’s laboratory space, allowing VAI to broaden its research focus to include other neurological disorders and chronic illnesses, specifically through a new lab dedicated to Parkinson disease research. The expansion significantly increases the Institute’s capacity to impact human health through basic and translational cancer research, and provides an expanded avenue for commercialization efforts that complement that research. The new facility, which will be LEED certified in support of the Institute’s commitment to the environment, will also house the new Van Andel Institute Graduate School, which matriculated its first students in August <strong>2007</strong>. Space will also be utilized by students of the new regional medical school, Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, which is currently under construction on an adjacent location. Opposite page (clockwise from top): David Van Andel drives bulldozer at groundbreaking; panels representing Phase II interior design; rendering of lobby facing west; poster at groundbreaking VAI Phase II Groundbreaking www.vai.org 05