A new nine-story tower at Georgia State University’s downtown Atlanta campus is adding space for teaching and research near MARTA’s Georgia State station. The $100 million Research Tower, at 153 Decatur St. SE, contains 155,000 square feet and is open for the fall 2026 semester, according to the university’s project information and reporting by Georgia State University and Urbanize Atlanta.
Teaching and research uses
The building is designed to combine classroom instruction with faculty research. The first two floors include teaching laboratories, classrooms and a large lecture space; faculty research areas are planned for the middle floors, and upper levels are reserved for future expansion. Researchers from GSU’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences are among those expected to work in the building, Urbanize Atlanta reported, citing university information.
A third building in the science complex
The project completes a three-building science complex with the Petit Science Center and Research Science Center near the intersection of Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue. The buildings share an interior courtyard, according to SaportaReport. The university’s operations office describes the tower as part of its effort to expand research capacity, laboratories, core facilities and modern teaching environments.
Research and downtown growth
The tower is opening amid broader growth in academic research and downtown Atlanta. According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, total academic research and development expenditures nationwide reached $108.8 billion in fiscal year 2023, up $11 billion from the previous year. That national figure provides context for the expansion of research facilities but does not by itself establish how GSU’s research spending compares with other public universities in Georgia. The surrounding district has also added residents and major development activity. According to Downtown Atlanta’s 2025 State of Downtown report, the area’s residential population has grown 44% since 2010, with more than 34,000 people now living downtown. The report estimates that $5.2 billion is being invested in transformative projects including the Stitch, Centennial Yards and South Downtown.
Research and economic context
The opening follows what Urbanize Atlanta reported as more than $2 billion in GSU research investment over the past decade. A University System of Georgia study released Aug. 13 found that GSU generated $3.48 billion in economic impact during fiscal year 2025, an increase of more than 8 percent from the previous year, according to Georgia State University. University officials have said the tower is intended to support additional research activity, workforce development and innovation.
Next steps downtown
The facility is part of GSU’s broader “College Town Downtown” plans. Those plans include a Panther Quad intended to connect the campus Greenway with Hurt Park. SaportaReport described the wider effort as a $107 million campus improvement program supported in part by an $80 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation.
The university has scheduled a formal ribbon-cutting for Sept. 22. Urbanize Atlanta reported that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and GSU President M. Brian Blake are expected to attend.
