Purpose-Built Life Science Space Finds Healthy Demand
A flight to quality in the office space market has taken hold but perhaps no more strongly than in the life science market. Cushman Wakefield reported that life science and lab space demand in the last five years showed a near-doubled preference for Class A over Class B/C. Meanwhile, JLL reported in September that highest quality life science space will lead the recovery of current soft conditions. Increasing venture capital investment in health care is another driver for life science space, reported Silicon Valley Bank in January 2025.
Yet for life science space, details define quality because bioscience and lab requirements are dramatically different at the higher end.
What about “purpose-built” life science space differentiates it from other office and commercial space?
Purpose-built spaces are specifically designed to support the complex and highly regulated nature of laboratory work and bioscience innovation. Unlike office conversions, which often require costly retrofitting and compromise functionality, purpose-built facilities integrate essential infrastructure from the outset. This ensures optimal safety, efficiency and adaptability for research and development, enabling companies to focus on scientific breakthroughs without logistical limitations.
The Landing in Burlingame, the latest project from life science developer King Street Properties, exemplifies purpose-built life science real estate, offering a meticulously designed space that meets the specialized needs of life science tenants. From structural considerations to advanced infrastructure, The Landing provides a highly functional environment tailored for scientific innovation.
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Column spacing, floor grids, ceiling heights
One of the defining characteristics of purpose-built space is its structural grid, at the Landing this is designed at 33 feet and 44 feet. This spacing supports standard prefabricated lab bench systems, which are optimized for a 33-foot grid, ensuring maximum efficiency and adaptability for tenants. Complementing this, the buildings feature floor-to-floor heights ranging from 15 feet to 20 feet, allowing ample space for the extensive mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems essential for lab operations. Unlike typical office buildings, which house fewer overhead systems, the increased vertical space ensures that critical infrastructure, such as lab benches, fume hoods and other specialized equipment are seamlessly integrated without compromising ceiling height in finished areas for tenant comfort and access to natural light.
Lab-quality air systems
Laboratory environments also have distinct airflow requirements that demand significantly higher air exchange rates than traditional office buildings, and The Landing is built to provide approximately 12 air changes per hour in the lab. This ensures optimal ventilation and safety for lab personnel while maintaining compliance with stringent industry standards.
Elevators and loading docks
When tenants tour a lab building with purpose-built spaces, they will also find operational efficiency was top of mind in the design. Loading docks should offer clear, direct access to dedicated service elevators. This setup eliminates the need for lab supplies and materials to pass through common areas, enhancing both convenience and safety. Each building should be equipped with separate service elevators specifically designated for transporting lab supplies, ensuring that sensitive materials remain isolated from general-use passenger elevators.
Special handling and regulatory needs
Recognizing the unique storage needs of life science tenants, The Landing incorporates dedicated chemical storage and waste rooms. Furthermore, the buildings are designed to support increased chemical storage needs for upper floor tenants while adhering to regulatory guidelines governing maximum allowable quantities and safety protocols. These thoughtful design elements provide tenants with the flexibility and compliance they need to operate efficiently.
Future-proofing
Future adaptability is a key aspect of any building’s design and especially so with purpose-built life science spaces. This can include things such as extra shaft capacity to accommodate future tenant riser systems, including ductwork and piping, allowing for seamless modifications as tenant needs evolve, as well as rooftop and penthouse spaces available for tenants to install additional equipment, ensuring that the space remains versatile and responsive to technological advancements.
Power planning
Lastly, power reliability is a critical factor for life science facilities. Buildings should be constructed with a robust electrical system tailored to meet the significant energy demands of lab spaces. Unlike conventional office buildings, life science labs require considerably more power to operate specialized equipment and the infrastructure should include dedicated emergency generator backup power for critical equipment, ensuring uninterrupted operations even in the event of a power outage.
King Street Properties aims to lead the industry by developing spaces that not only meet the immediate needs of life science tenants but also anticipate their future growth and technological advancements.
Sonia Taneja is managing director of King Street Properties.
The post Purpose-Built Life Science Space Finds Healthy Demand appeared first on Commercial Property Executive.
