Skanska has officially topped out the $350 million Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Virginia, marking a major milestone for higher education research infrastructure. The five-story, 355,809-square-foot facility — located within UVA’s Fontaine Research Park — is designed to serve as a central hub for biotechnology innovation, academic collaboration and private-sector partnerships.
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According to Skanska, the building will feature flexible laboratory layouts, updated research cores and dedicated space for biotech companies to co-locate alongside university scientists. The institute is positioned to become a major driver for advancements in cellular, gene and immunotherapy technologies, accelerating both discovery and commercialization.
Funding for the project reflects broad institutional and philanthropic backing. Following a $100 million gift from Paul and Diane Manning, the university contributed $150 million, while the Commonwealth of Virginia provided $100 million. An additional $50 million in anonymous donations remain undesignated, according to Eric Swensen, public information officer for UVA.
The facility arrives at a time when universities nationwide are reevaluating capital plans in response to budget volatility, enrollment shifts and political scrutiny over federal spending. Several institutions — including Yale and multiple Virginia campuses — have recently paused or scaled back construction projects.
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“While flagship projects continue to break ground, many universities are rethinking scale and scope amid rising costs and funding uncertainty,” said Matt Kidwell, project executive for Skanska, in an email to Construction Dive. “Deferred maintenance remains a major challenge and customers are getting creative to add those needs into current project scopes.”
Despite broader market caution, the Manning Institute has been positioned as a strategic long-term investment in Virginia’s life sciences economy.
“This world-class biotechnology facility is an investment in life sciences innovation and capabilities that will shape the future of research and discovery throughout the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Mark Balling, executive vice president of Skanska USA Building’s Mid-Atlantic region.
Skanska expects to deliver the project in Q4 2027.
Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.
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