VCU looking to purchase new research building
VCU recently expressed interest in purchasing the Altria Center, the tobacco company’s research building, in order to accommodate the university’s increasing research needs. Photo by Hassan Lowery.
Annabel Granger, Contributing Writer
VCU may expand its campus again with the potential purchase of the Altria Center located at 601 E. Jackson St. The building would be turned into a research center, Grant Heston, a VCU spokesperson, told Virginia Business.
“The building holds tremendous potential to accelerate VCU’s nationally recognized research programs that improve the health and well-being of Virginians,” stated Michael Porter, VCU’s vice president of public relations, in an email.
The center will house some of VCU’s Academic Health Sciences programs, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center research functions and VCU’s Medicines for All Institute, according to Porter.
VCU’s research programs are nationally recognized, making new and modern research centers a priority for the university, according to Porter.
“The National Science Foundation ranks VCU as a top 50 public research university; this recognition comes despite a significant need for new, modern research facilities,” Porter stated.
VCU research has received funding from a variety of federal awards that have recognized VCU as a top U.S. public research university, according to VCU’s 2023 research and innovation annual report.
The additional space provided by the Altria Center would allow for new research labs, classrooms and conference spaces supporting interdisciplinary research, Porter stated.
Although there has yet to be an official plan to buy and rebuild the center, the sale has been discussed for over two months, according to Porter.
The cost of the Altria Center is estimated to be $275 million, according to an article by Virginia Business. It is still cheaper than building a brand new research center, which would cost more than $700 million, Porter stated.
Porter also stated VCU would add around 450,000 feet to the building if purchased.
“The acquisition of this facility would attract the best global talent including faculty and students to the region and advance VCU as an internationally recognized research institution,” Porter stated.
“An agreement would need approval by the school’s board of visitors, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the General Assembly,” according to a report from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
A representative from the Altria Center could not be reached by The Commonwealth Times by publication time after multiple phone calls and emails, but they have made previous statements to other publications.
David Sutton, a spokesperson for the Altria Center, stated in an interview with Virginia Business that the center wasn’t listed for sale but they are open to the potential sale that VCU approached them with.
“If the deal comes to fruition, Altria plans to construct a new research facility in Richmond,” Sutton stated in Virginia Business.
