Virginia Commonwealth University James W. and Francis G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center

Client: Virginia Commonwealth University
Location: Richmond, VA
Architect: The Ballinger Company
Size: 200,000 SF

New facility constructed on busy urban university site

New 200,000-SF school of medicine constructed on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. This project added administrative offices, classrooms, state-of-the-art simulation teaching lab, and research laboratory space.

Project Overview

The primary project challenge focused on a tight urban site with limited laydown and immediately surrounded by two animal research buildings, three hospitals, and a footprint that was adjacent to a 17-story administration building
Initial reviews showed more than 1,400 people per day used bridges connecting these buildings while others utilized the tunnels below the street
To manage these impacts and ensure a safe work site and surroundings for the active campus, several packages were awarded early on a modified integrated project delivery approach and design-assist basis
The approach resulted in project bids coming within 1% of the final estimate and ultimately allowed Gilbane to return significant savings back to VCU

“This is a world-class project designed by a prominent national architectural team, which requires the highest attention to detail and quality, and your staff has delivered on all counts. Budget and schedule are also primary considerations and your team is meeting those requirements as well.”
Brian J. Ohlinger
PE, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management