At the HELIX, a dream of turning collaboration into innovation
It’s easy to describe H1 of the HELIX for what it is: A 12-story, 574,000-square-foot building that is the first of three buildings of the transformative project going up in New Brunswick — one that will include a Hub for innovation and startups, a laboratory for translational research and the home of the new 176,000-square-foot Rutgers School of Medicine.
What H1 represents is so much more.
The first tower of project is an example of what can happen when numerous key stakeholders come together to create a transformative and innovative facility
That was obvious Friday afternoon at a topping-off ceremony for a building that seemingly is going up at lightning speed since the first column was put in place Feb. 5.
Chris Paladino, the president of the New Brunswick Development Corp., the master developer of the project, described it this way while offering one of many gestures of gratitude to the union labor that briefly paused its efforts to join in the ceremonies:
“You’re building a place where the next generation of physicians will be trained, where discoveries and labs will lead to cures, and where early-stage companies will move from startups to commercialization growing the New Jersey economy,” he said.
And, to think, this is just one of three buildings that are coming to the complex. A new home for Nokia Bell Labs and the tallest multifamily in the county are coming soon.
Longtime New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill, who has built dozens of projects with Paladino and Devco, described it this way:
“H1 is more than just a building,” he said. “It’s a symbol of the commitment of the state of New Jersey, Middlesex County and New Brunswick to innovation, sustainability and economic development.
“This project will bring new opportunities, stimulate innovation and create a dynamic environment for our residents and visitors alike.”
Indeed.
Amy Towers, the chair of the Rutgers University board of governors, said the building is a symbol of parties coming together.
The H1 tower rises above New Brunswick.
“It’s hard to believe that it was only 19 months ago that the board of governors approved Rutgers’ commitment to the HELIX project as part of Gov. (Phil) Murphy’s strategy and absolute commitment to grow the innovation economy in New Jersey, right here next to Rutgers,” she said. “We’re so proud to be a key partner in this project, to have a beautiful new campus for our medical school and to have exceptional translational research facilities, the value of which represents one of the single largest investments in life sciences translational research in the history of our state.”
Dr. Amy Murtha, dean of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is eager to put them to use.
She called H1 a revolutionary state-of-the-arts center of learning, research and industry.
Murtha said the facility will be a game-changer for the soon-to-be-renamed Rutgers School of Medicine.
“The HELIX complex is truly the public-private partnership for huge investment in life sciences and medical education in New Jersey,” she said. “This new medical home will promote active learning and provide spaces for collaboration and innovation.”
Murtha said Rutgers already is working with Nokia Bell Labs — and is eager to work with others.
“The HELIX complex will serve as the new home for the medical school and stand as an innovation hub to our state,” she said. “We are thrilled that our medical students will learn while surrounded by outstanding researchers. Our learners will also be exposed to the latest teaching and learning modalities, including a futuristic simulation complex. It’s really exciting.”
It’s an example of what can happen through collaboration.
Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, said no project better embodies the governor’s vision for an innovation economy — one that will help the state recapture its leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship — than the HELIX.
And no project, Sullivan said, better illustrates the state’s ability to get “big things done.”
Cahill couldn’t agree more.
“As we look up at this impressive structure, we are reminded what we can achieve when we work together with a shared purpose,” he said. “Phase one is not just a building, and the HELIX is not just a complex, it’s a statement about the future of the state of New Jersey, Middlesex County and the city of New Brunswick — a future that is bright, prosperous and full of promise.
“As we place this final beam, let it serve as a reminder of the heights we can reach when we aim high and work together.”
