Cleveland Clinic recently inaugurated two cutting-edge research buildings, marking the largest research investment in its over 100-year history. These structures, covering 300,000 square feet on the Main Campus, will house more than 700 employees across nearly 30 laboratories, enhancing the clinic’s capacity for scientific exploration and innovation.
Supported by funding from the State of Ohio and JobsOhio, the project is a key part of the Cleveland Innovation District—a public-private initiative aimed at fostering transformative research and job creation in Ohio. Cleveland Clinic CEO Tom Mihaljevic expressed gratitude for the partnerships that made the facilities possible, emphasizing their role in propelling scientific discovery and solidifying Cleveland’s status as a hub for healthcare innovation.
The new buildings are designed to facilitate collaboration, featuring advanced laboratories, open spaces, classrooms, and a café, along with landscaped areas and walking paths. Chief Research and Academic Officer Serpil Erzurum highlighted the buildings’ potential to bring together scientists and clinicians to accelerate research and improve patient care.
The northeast building encompasses around 170,000 square feet, dedicated to specialized laboratories and high-growth research programs, while the northwest building spans approximately 120,000 square feet, focusing on specialty research facilities. This expansion builds on previous renovations, including a 45,000 square-foot space opened in 2023 for labs and computational work.
Since the Cleveland Innovation District’s launch in 2021, significant progress has been made, creating around 2,000 new jobs—surpassing initial goals—and supporting educational programs that have provided over 3,700 degrees and certificates. The project, partly funded by philanthropic contributions, was designed in collaboration with HOK Architects and Vanderweil Engineers, with Gilbane Building serving as the construction manager.
