UAB breaks ground on $190 million Biomedical Research + Psychology Building

UAB Biomedical Research and Psychology Building
The ground-breaking ceremony was held today at UAB. (Audrey Kent / Bham Now)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham broke ground today on a new eight-story, $190 million facility for the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine + College of Arts and Sciences.

Keep reading to find out the details on this upcoming UAB facility.

What you need to know

UAB Biomedical Research and Psychology Building
Senator Richard Shelby speaks on the new facility. (Audrey Kent / Bham Now)

The Biomedical Research and Psychology Building is made possible by $152 million in federal funding, which is 80% of the project budget from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is championed by retired United States Senator Richard Shelby.

The building will house research-intensive faculty from the Heersink School of Medicine and the Department of Psychology, which continue to be highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

“”This is a great day for Birmingham, a great day for Alabama, and just the beginning of something that will be positive for the next level of what UAB stands for – life and health.”

Senator Richard Shelby, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony

Facility features

UAB Biomedical Research and Psychology Building
The new facility will bring innovative features to UAB. (Audrey Kent / Bham Now)

Features of the eight-story, 228,735-square-foot facility will include:

  • Activity-based layouts, to promote collaboration + provide easier access to resources and safe environments
  • Wet + dry research laboratories
  • Research support spaces
  • Offices + administrative support spaces

The building will rest in the heart of campus, north of University Boulevard and west of 16th Street South, across from the Heersink School of Medicine’s Volker Hall.

The design was completed by Birmingham-based architectural firm Williams Blackstock Architects, and construction will be implemented by Birmingham-based general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC.

Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2026.

What do you think of this $190 million facility at UAB? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

Audrey Kent
Audrey Kent
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