Greenferd is Not Just for Offices Anymore!

In the construction industry, tenure is an increasingly valuable currency, and after almost 30 years serving the GTA and more than 2,000 successful projects, Greenferd is notably rich in that department. From construction management and general contracting to service work, site assessment, and budgeting and schedules, the commercial real estate and A&D community, as well as tenants and landlords, know they can call on Greenferd whenever they need professional help building out a truly superior office space.

While our reputation for curating exceptional office spaces precedes us, we think it’s important to note that we have also gained valuable experience in other areas of the construction world over the years. Unlike many of our competitors in the office construction market, Greenferd has also found great success bringing labs and life sciences spaces to life; two areas that are gaining significant momentum and have great potential. Some of our stand-out clients include Golder, Maxxam Analytics, Diteba, Notch Therapeutics, ReGen Scientific (and many more). While working on these incredible projects, we gained an in-depth understanding of the specific requirements associated with complex projects of this nature and, more importantly, what it takes to succeed.

For those unfamiliar with the world of lab space design, let’s quickly review what differentiates them from traditional office build-outs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public was introduced to a slew of biotech companies racing against the clock to develop the vaccines that would eventually bring the pandemic to an end. As you might have guessed, much of this work was completed in the type of labs that we are talking about.  

First, it’s important to note that there are many different types of labs all with different levels of complexity and security. Most labs require specialized equipment that delivers exact tolerances and temperatures, and this requires the expertise of qualified trade suppliers that have the skills and expertise to meet these needs. On several of our past projects, we have had the privilege of working with Labworks International, a Woodbridge-based manufacturer of specialty lab equipment that includes reach-in rooms, clean rooms, cold environmental rooms, cold storage rooms, warm rooms, and other intricately fabricated work areas.  

Additional requirements of a lab build-out can include – but are not limited to – the following common items:

• Epoxy floors

• Glass acid drains

• Fume hoods

• Incubators

• Gas manifolds

• Humidifiers

• Air handling units & exhaust fans

It’s also important to note that it is not just the equipment that is unique to lab construction; rather, these spaces require highly specific amenities. For example, typical space requirements for a lab buildout include significant HVAC capacity to provide adequate air supply, exhaust, and contamination removal. Labs also rely on solid construction, set apart from any source that may cause vibration, or the use of isolation slabs, all while maintaining the ability to house potentially volatile gasses and materials (preferably in a location that is close to research areas and universities).

Of course, space like this is hard to find in the sea of commercial units available in any given district. Fortunately, this is where Jim Wilson, Senior Vice President at Lennard Commercial Realty, can help. With over 30 years in the business, Jim has grown his Occupier Services practice to (specifically and intentionally) include life sciences and lab users. According to Jim the demand for space in this sector has never been stronger. “Prior to the pandemic, landlords would not return my phone calls,” he says. “After the pandemic, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing from both landlords and scaling biotech startups searching for wetlab space.”

 There has seemingly never been a better time to venture into the world of labs and life sciences clients; however, there is no doubt that these projects require specialized equipment and expertise to be completed successfully. At Greenferd, we have the expertise and proven track record that shows we can not only meet expectations for these complex projects – we far exceed them.

 We look forward to our next lab opportunity. Give us a call!