Alexion Breaks Ground on New Global Headquarters
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The event marks a milestone in the expansion of Alexion’s research and business operations as it continues to develop a broad portfolio of life-transforming therapies for patients. In addition, construction of the new building in the Downtown Crossing section of New Haven is an important step in the revitalization of the city’s downtown neighbourhoods.
Alexion will be the anchor tenant in 100 College Street, occupying nine floors. The building is expected to be open for occupancy in 2015.
"Our new global headquarters will support our continued growth as we work to develop and deliver life-transforming therapies for patients with severe and life-threatening disorders that are also ultra-rare,” said Leonard Bell, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. “We are especially pleased by this step because our return to New Haven is a homecoming for our company, and we are able to take part in the redevelopment of the downtown area.”
When Alexion takes occupancy in 2015, it will mark the company’s return to the city where it was founded more than 20 years ago. Alexion plans to relocate more than 400 employees who are currently based in Connecticut to the new site in 2015. In addition, the company is well underway to adding the 200 to 300 new jobs it anticipated creating when it was admitted to Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s First Five program in June 2012.
Dr. Bell was joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by Governor Malloy, as well as by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and representatives from Yale University and Yale-New Haven Hospital.
“We are positioning Connecticut as a leader in the bioscience industry, and Alexion’s decision to build their new global headquarters in our state is a clear sign that the future in this sector is bright,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “With our economic development tools, our focus on growing bioscience and technology, and through widely expanding higher education, we will continue to expand bioscience in Connecticut—creating good paying jobs with good benefits. These investments not only improve our economic strength and competitiveness, but also establish important partnerships between our universities, medical centers, and private sector businesses.”
The state-of-the-art 11-story office building is the first building to be erected as part of New Haven’s Downtown Crossing urban revitalization effort. Downtown Crossing is the largest infrastructure activity in New Haven in decades, and is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIGER II grant, the city of New Haven and the State of Connecticut. It is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs, result in $184 million in direct and indirect spending over the next three years, and create 600 to 900 permanent jobs upon completion. The building is being constructed to be certifiable to an environmental standard of at least LEED Silver.
