Gilbane Building Co. has reached a major construction milestone at New York’s Albany NanoTech Complex, topping out the $614 million NanoFab Reflection facility that anchors the state’s broader push to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
The four-story, 310,000-square-foot building is a central component of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s initiative to strengthen New York’s advanced manufacturing sector. According to a Dec. 8 release from the governor’s office, the project represents a key piece of a $1 billion investment within the NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex and contributes to a larger $10 billion statewide effort focused on nanotechnology and semiconductor development.
Once completed, the facility will include approximately 50,000 square feet of advanced cleanroom space designed to support cutting-edge semiconductor research and fabrication. The building will feature two levels of clean space, a waffle table, two additional support levels above the operating floor, and a rooftop mechanical penthouse housing HVAC systems such as air handlers, according to Gilbane’s project details.
The scope of work also includes construction of a 900-space parking garage. Gilbane said the project is targeting the highest level of LEED certification, reflecting a focus on sustainability alongside advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Providence, Rhode Island-based Gilbane is delivering the project in collaboration with DPS Advanced Technology Group, an Amsterdam-based manufacturing construction specialist and subsidiary of Arcadis. The joint team secured the contract in January and has advanced construction amid growing national investment in semiconductor infrastructure.
“Today’s milestone represents the latest step in establishing New York as the hub for domestic semiconductor production,” said Hope Knight, Empire State Development president and CEO, in the governor’s news release.
The NanoFab Reflection facility comes as contractors increasingly pursue opportunities in advanced manufacturing and data center construction, sectors that have remained active even as other segments soften. Firms such as Skanska have expanded their advanced technology units to capitalize on sustained demand driven by semiconductor and digital infrastructure projects.
Despite this momentum, broader nonresidential construction activity has shown signs of slowing. Industry data indicates that overall nonresidential spending has declined multiple times in recent months, underscoring a growing divide between high-tech megaprojects and other commercial building sectors.
“Momentum remains confined almost exclusively to the data center segment,” said Anirban Basu, Associated Builders and Contractors chief economist, in a Nov. 17 news release detailing the contraction. “This should come as no surprise given that approximately 1 in 7 ABC members are under contract to work on a data center, and those contractors have significantly higher backlog than those that are not.”
State officials and industry leaders view the Albany NanoFab project as a long-term investment in domestic supply chains, workforce development and technological competitiveness. As global demand for semiconductors continues to grow, projects such as NanoFab Reflection are expected to play a critical role in reshoring advanced manufacturing and supporting innovation across multiple industries.
Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.
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