Steel is climbing fast over Wauwatosa as a $79 million expansion rises at the Versiti Blood Research Institute, a roughly 79,000 square foot addition that is set to nearly double the institute’s research capacity and bring about 100 new jobs. The four story wing is scheduled to open to researchers in December 2026 and will add lab space built for translational work with nearby hospitals and academic campuses.
Topping off puts new research wing on the skyline
According to a press release from Versiti, the project hit a major milestone on May 4 with a topping off ceremony, where more than 130 community leaders and project partners signed the final steel beam before it was lifted into place. Versiti CEO Chris Miskel said, "Reaching this milestone reflects the shared vision and generosity of so many people who believe in what’s possible through blood research." The release also names HGA as architect and Mortenson as general contractor for the build.
Inside the new labs and campus connections
The expansion is organized as open lab blocks that hold multiple laboratory suites, a biorepository, core instrumentation spaces, a large conference and lecture venue, and a café with outdoor seating, layout choices aimed at encouraging cross disciplinary collaboration, according to Tradeline. Plans also call for a sky bridge that will link the new wing to the Medical College of Wisconsin’s nearby cancer research facility, physically tying more of the area’s research muscle together.
Who is paying the $79 million tab
The roughly $79 million cost is being covered through a mix of private donations and public investment. Reporting shows Wisconsin lawmakers earmarked a $10 million capital grant through the state budget process, and a federal funding announcement committed $3 million for the project, per a federal release distributed by PR Newswire.
Jobs, tax revenue and the next phase of construction
Versiti reports that the larger footprint will allow the institute to increase its roster from about 31 principal investigators to around 50, and it is projected to generate an estimated $19 million in additional tax revenue for Wisconsin over 30 years. Construction photos and a site tour show mechanical systems and lab benches going in as the building moves toward full enclosure, according to reporting and images in the Milwaukee Business Journal.
Once it opens, the expanded institute is expected to deepen Milwaukee’s research ecosystem by more tightly connecting basic science to clinical trials and patient care at nearby hospital partners. Community fundraising tied to the "Invest in Hope" campaign is underway to support equipment purchases, naming opportunities and shared research space inside the new wing.
