ODU breaks ground on $184M biosciences building

Old Dominion University on Monday broke ground on the biggest capital construction project in the 95-year-old university’s history — a new biological sciences building.

The planned five-story, 162,586 square-foot building will be located on ODU‘s campus in Norfolk, near the university’s Oceanography and Mills Godwin Life Sciences buildings.

ODU spokesperson Jonah Ross Grinkewitz said the $184 million project is funded by a state bond issue and will house classrooms, teaching laboratories, a 120-seat lecture hall and other student support spaces. State and campus leaders, and community members gathered Monday to commemorate the groundbreaking.

“Today would not be possible without significant support from the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill in a Monday statement. “With the leadership and action of Gov. Youngkin and the General Assembly, a $184 million investment has been made in Old Dominion University, specifically our students, representing the largest capital project in the history of our institution in terms of both scope and size.”

The building is meant to support faculty and student research in biomedical and ecological areas. As part of the project, the Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory will be relocated within the biological sciences building with an added water feature and a two-story tropical display house. The exterior design incorporates an existing pond and features a terraced seating area.

A team that includes VMDO Architects, Ballinger and O’Shea Wilson Site Works designed the building. Newport News-based W.M. Jordan Co. will serve as the project’s general contractor.

The building is expected to be ready for use in spring 2028.

Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said the building embodies the ODU’s mission of being a “forward-focused, innovative and entrepreneurial research university.

“The pioneering biological science research conducted at this state-of-the-art research and development hub will prepare students to succeed in their lives and careers beyond graduation,” Guidera added in a statement.