Huntsman Cancer Institute starts new $105m research expansion

The 220,000-square-foot expansion was announced by Huntsman at the annual fundraising gala last November. With Architectural Nexus as the architect and Jacobsen Construction as the builder, the addition is slated for completion in 2016 and will double HCI’s research space.

Principal support for the $105 million expansion will be provided by the Jon M. Huntsman Family, Huntsman Cancer Foundation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Intermountain Healthcare and the State of Utah. In all, more than 100,000 individuals have supported Huntsman Cancer Institute.

The addition’s name (The Primary Children’s and Families’ Cancer Research Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute) reflects the LDS Church’s financial support of the expansion and its historical emphasis on children and families.

"When we dedicated the first phase of Huntsman Cancer Institute in 1999, I told everyone it was just the beginning. That vision — which many viewed as impossible — is now coming true; a cancer treatment and research campus unparalleled in the world. Here we’ll make the kind of research advances that will truly make a difference to the human family," Jon M. Huntsman said.

The addition’s projected laboratories will bring the actual linear footage of research bench space to almost a mile. Other research enhancements will include a Biotechnology Center, with the latest advanced genetic sequencing and imaging equipment.

"By bringing together the most innovative scientific minds with leading edge technologies, we will accelerate cancer research discovery to reduce the burden of cancer. Just down the hall from our cancer hospital, teams of top scientists will be tackling the most pressing medical challenge of our time," said Dr. Mary Beckerle, HCI’s CEO and director.

"The Huntsmans and our other generous supporters have given all of us a tremendous gift, and it is now up to us to capitalize on this unique opportunity."

Huntsman Cancer Institute is located on the campus of the University of Utah and is part of the University of Utah Health Sciences system. The addition will extend from the southeast corner of the research arm of the original building and marks HCI’s fourth major construction phase.

The first phase, The Jon M. Huntsman Research Center, was completed in 1999, and comprises 231,000-square-feet with three floors of research labs and a floor of outpatient clinics. The second phase, a 286,000-square-foot cancer specialty hospital with 50 inpatient rooms, opened in 2004. In the fall of 2011, a 156,000-square-foot expansion to the hospital, with 50 more inpatient rooms, was dedicated.