Transforming 14 Acres into a Sustainable Life Science Hub

9810-30 Darnestown Road

Rockville, MD

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, a pioneering developer of collaborative life science campuses, identified a unique opportunity to transform a 14-acre former corporate complex into a state-of-the-art life science hub. By repurposing this site, Alexandria aimed to create a sustainable, community-focused environment that fosters innovation and meets the growing demand for advanced research facilities.

The master plan established clear development goals, including minimum building sizes of 160,000 SF, maintaining critical service access via a loop road, and creating public-use spaces like walking and biking trails connected to local networks. Sustainability was central to the design, targeting LEED Gold certification.

EwingCole was the design architect for the phased development which includes three buildings, and two parking garages arranged around a central campus green, seamlessly integrating outdoor amenities and natural indigenous landscaping. Service docks and utilities are discreetly enclosed, preserving the campus’s aesthetic integrity.

Outdoor features include a vibrant event lawn with a water feature, an elevated terrace with a conference pavilion, bocce courts, a café with shaded seating, and bioretention gardens connected by landscaped pathways. Responding to market demand, the initial building and parking structures were expanded, with subsequent buildings also increased in size and height to meet growing needs.

The project’s success has spurred plans for a third building and a new public park. The park will feature an open lawn, adventure play area, wildflower meadow, pavilion, plazas, and bioretention basins, further enhancing the campus’s community-oriented design.