Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, and The University of Pittsburgh are marking the progress of the restoration and adaptive reuse of the former Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in a Topping Off Ceremony on May 25, 2021. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 and was originally a one-stop shop for the iconic Ford Model T, which went from assembly line to showroom floor in one building.

Wexford and its partners – Ventas Inc, Bank of America, ZGF Architects, and Turner Construction - are currently converting the plant into a world-class hub of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, newly named The Assembly. Built in 1915 by Ford Motor Company and designed by famed architect John Graham, the historic building on the corner of Baum Boulevard and Morewood Avenue in the Bloomfield/Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh is being transformed as a hub of university research, entrepreneurial activity, corporate engagement, and inclusive innovation programming.

“Wexford is excited to bring The Assembly to Pittsburgh’s growing Innovation District and life sciences ecosystem,’ said Wexford’s Northeast Region Executive and Senior Vice President of Development, John Grady. “These state-of-the-art labs, dramatic convening spaces, and top-tier researchers will attract the talent, ideas, and companies that will continue to propel life science innovation in Pittsburgh.”

The former plant featured an eight-story main building which contained the assembly areas and a vehicle showroom. The six-story crane shed was used to hoist parts unloaded from the adjacent Pennsylvania Railroad tracks to the appropriate level for assembly. In its new form, the original 250,000 square foot building and the 105,000 square foot addition (which will be topped off on May 25th) will house laboratory and office space; an in-building parking garage with secured bicycle room and shower facilities; gathering and event spaces; conferencing facilities; an auditorium with 250+ seat capacity; and a restaurant and café.

Currently 108,000 square feet of office and/or lab space is available for lease. The Assembly will be the future home to University of Pittsburgh principal researchers focusedmon advancing knowledge and discoveries related to cancer biology and other areas.

“Today’s topping out is an exciting milestone,” says University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “Once complete, this space will advance the University of Pittsburgh’s mission by fueling biomedical collaboration and innovation for society’s gain—and with lifesaving benefits.”

“The Assembly is a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Innovation District,'' said Sean Luther, Executive Director of InnovatePGH. “Fully leveraging Pittsburgh’s life science assets requiresn exactly the intentionally designed, multi-tenant facilities developed by Wexford. The Assembly represents the full vision and potential of the Pittsburgh Innovation District to translate academic research into economic development that benefits all of Western Pennsylvania.”

Tuesday’s Topping Out Ceremony will mark the finishing of structural elements of The Assembly’s 105,000 square foot addition. The Assembly is scheduled for construction completion in Q1 2022.