Genentech Hall, the first foothold at UCSF's Mission Bay campus, stands as a beacon to the determination and cooperation of scores of people involved in the birth of the biomedical campus.

The 434,000-square-foot building offers state-of-the-art laboratories, offices, a library, lecture hall, auditorium, outdoor terraces and an amphitheater.

Built to last 80 years, Genentech Hall is the first of 20 buildings planned for the 43-acre site at San Francisco's eastern waterfront. Over the next 15 to 20 years, UCSF Mission Bay will evolve to contain 2.65 million gross square feet of biomedical laboratory, instructional and support space and at least eight acres of publicly accessible open space. The life sciences campus will eventually generate about 9,100 new jobs and the biotechnology and life sciences zone surrounding it is expected to generate more than $500 million over 30 years.

Located at the corner of Sixteenth and Owens streets, Genentech Hall will eventually house about 900 staff and scientists, including 60 principal investigators in programs including structural and chemical biology, molecular cell and developmental biology, as well as the Molecular Design Institute and the Center for Advanced Technology. Faculty and staff will move in phases, from the fifth floor down, beginning in January 2003 and the building will be fully operational by July 2003.

Meanwhile, the Genetics, Development and Behavioral Sciences building is on track to open for occupancy in fall 2003.

"I'm delighted in what we've accomplished so far," says Bruce Spaulding, vice chancellor for University Advancement and Planning. "It is gratifying to see that our first step at Mission Bay, Genentech Hall, is a building that in many other institutions would be their entire research establishment. It is very rewarding to see the building come to the point that people can comprehend the scale and scope of the entire project."

Previously planned as two separate research buildings, Genentech Hall was constructed as one facility for two reasons, Spaulding explains. First, the University could save money by combining things such as the mechanical and electrical systems. And second, UCSF could reach a critical mass of scientists working in one building since campus officials did not know at the time how long it would take to finance the construction of a second research building. As it turned out, campus officials are delighted that the speed of the first phase of development is exceeding their expectations. By the end of 2004, UCSF Mission Bay will encompass three research buildings, a community center, child care facility, parking garage and the Koret Quad, a 3.2 acre park that is larger than San Francisco's Union Square.

Construction of the $223 million Genentech Hall was partially funded by a voter-approved state bond measure, which contributed $21.4 million as part of a life safety measure to replace the seismically deficient UC Hall on the Parnassus Heights campus. The University also used private gifts and grants from individual philanthropists, corporations and private foundations, external financing and other revenues to pay for the design and construction of a facility that is fully equipped, flexible and functional.

"We've developed an approach and a philosophy to build facilities that seek traditional sources, such as state funding, as well as donations from philanthropists to make them special," says Spaulding. "If we can continue to be successful with philanthropy, we can continue down that road with the rest of the buildings."

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Source: Lisa Cisneros

Last updated April 7, 2005

Genentech Hall

Genentech Hall (24A/B), a six-story, 434,000-gross-square-foot biomedical research facility, broke ground in October 1999 and was completed in October 2002. Scientists began moving into the building in January 2003 and will continue to move in through May 2003. Designed as a model for interactive research, the $223 million research building will contain programs in structural and chemical biology and molecular, cell and developmental biology, as well as the Molecular Design Institute and the Center for Advanced Technology. The building features an atrium, outdoor amphitheater, a library and café, which will open in March 2003. Photo by David Powers.