Building a Future for Precision Medicine in the Heart of Detroit
A rendering of Bedrock’s upcoming Life Sciences Innovation Building, the first phase of Detroit’s new 14-acre innovation district on the former Gratiot jail site. Image: Courtesy of Bedrock
Bedrock’s recently unveiled plans for a 14-acre technology, entrepreneurship, and life sciences district in downtown Detroit mark a bold new chapter for the city’s innovation economy. Anchored by the upcoming Life Science Innovation Building and supported by an ecosystem of top-tier partners such as BAMF Health, Ferris State University, MI-HQ, and Wayne State University’s TechTown, this development reimagines the Gratiot Site—formerly a stalled jail complex—as a hub for cutting-edge medical research, education, and startup growth. At the intersection of advanced theranostics, biotech, and talent development, the project promises to elevate Detroit’s global competitiveness in precision medicine and knowledge-based industries.
The project team includes Perkins&Will (architect and landscape architect), Affiliated Engineers (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology engineer), WSP (structural engineer), Giffels Webster (civil engineer), and Turner (pre-construction).
Lab Design News spoke to Eileen Sellaro, senior director of strategy & innovation at Bedrock, and Laurie Placinski, BAMF Health vice president of design, real estate and partnerships, to explore the vision, impact, and collaborative force behind the Gratiot Site’s transformation. They shared insights into how this campus will not only advance life-saving technologies and create high-paying jobs but also reconnect the city to its entrepreneurial roots.
Q: How does the design of the Gratiot Site reflect Bedrock’s goal of creating a hub for precision medicine, life sciences, and entrepreneurship in Detroit?
Eileen Sellaro: Bedrock’s plans for the Gratiot Site include a dynamic mixed-use innovation district, anchored by life sciences, technology, precision medicine, and entrepreneurship programs. The first phase of development, a 220,000 sf Life Sciences Innovation Building, will feature state-of-the-art wet lab facilities, outpatient care, and infrastructure to support STEM training and workforce development.
A future development phase will feature a vibrant central park designed to support a healing, inclusive and inspiring environment for visitors, tenants, downtown residents, and the broader Detroit community.
Q: What architectural and design considerations were made to accommodate the diverse needs of stakeholders such as BAMF Health, MI-HQ, Ferris State University, and Wayne State University?
Eileen Sellaro: The Life Sciences Innovation Building will serve a broad range of user needs. Given the diversity of our partners and their respective programs, we are considering architectural and design elements that encourage interaction and collaboration, such as:
A communal lobby to support upper floor tenants
A gathering and events space to encourage knowledge-sharing across building users, featuring views of the future central park
Shared mechanical infrastructure and support spaces that optimize building efficiency while serving the unique needs of our tenants
Proximal parking and pick-up/drop-off areas for tenants, patients, students, faculty, and visitors.
Map showing the location of Bedrock’s planned 14-acre innovation district on the former Gratiot jail site in downtown Detroit. Image: Courtesy of Bedrock
The overall design will balance privacy considerations for patients and researchers, while emphasizing zones of shared activity and organic collaboration for students, entrepreneurs, and future industry partners.
Q: How does the Life Sciences Innovation Building incorporate cutting-edge technologies, such as BAMF Health's theranostics platform, into its infrastructure?
Laurie Placinski: Based on preliminary designs, the Life Sciences Innovation Building will blend a research and design lab with a high throughput theranostics center, delivering premier patient care in a translational medical environment. Maintaining patient and staff safety is a core focus and informs how we design the infrastructure that supports our built spaces.
Q: What sustainable design practices and materials are being used in the construction of the Life Sciences Innovation Building and other planned facilities within the Gratiot Site?
Eileen Sellaro: Bedrock prioritizes sustainable practices that align with the company’s broader commitment to reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources. Initial applications for this building will include:
Stormwater mitigation strategies to enhance environmental resilience
Water use reduction through efficient plumbing fixtures and potential rainwater management solutions
Shared infrastructure systems to optimize energy use and reduce waste
Building materials prioritizing low-emission, non-toxic materials that contribute to well-being and indoor air quality, as well as material selections to minimize the project’s carbon footprint.
Additional green infrastructure systems and adaptive reuse of existing facilities are being studied as part of district-wide plans.
Q: How will the transformation of the former jail complex into an innovation hub honor the historical significance of Detroit’s Black Bottom entrepreneurial corridor?
Eileen Sellaro: A sharp contrast to the site’s decades-long use as a jail complex, Bedrock’s proposed plan for the Gratiot Site will serve as a renewed gateway to the city—reestablishing the area as a center for healthcare, innovation, and economic development. Our vision for the site pays homage to the legacy of the former Black Bottom neighborhood as the home to some of Detroit’s first hospital systems, pharmacies, medical training programs and Black-owned businesses. The intention is to develop programs that resonate with the site’s history and serve the community—students, teachers, clinicians, patients, entrepreneurs, visitors, and residents.
Q: Was end user feedback collected prior to finalizing the designs for these labs?
Laurie Placinski: BAMF’s current location in Grand Rapids, MI houses the world's largest comprehensive theranostics center. This center was purposefully built with a co-located platform which has allowed our team to continually assess and observe current practices and space utilization while researching and implementing new best practices over time. The data gathered from these continual assessments is then implemented into our comprehensive playbook and applied to each new center. Similar assessments will take place at each new location to ensure that we maintain a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Q: How is the design of the Gratiot Site tailored to support workforce training programs and career pathways in precision medicine and life sciences?
Eileen Sellaro: The Life Sciences Innovation Building will feature programs from our partners, BAMF Health, MI-HQ, Ferris State University, and Wayne State University, all of whom plan to build resources and programs focused on STEM career pathways—from K-12 programming through advanced degrees. The design of the facility caters to tenant collaboration and partnership by providing shared resources and gathering spaces. The integration of wet and dry lab facilities within the building will support opportunities for emerging life science innovators, providing the infrastructure needed to support entrepreneurial career pathways.
Q: What challenges have been faced during the initial planning and design phases, and how were they addressed to align with Bedrock’s vision?
Eileen Sellaro: During the initial design process of the Life Sciences Innovation Building, we have addressed a few challenges, including:
Coordination of pedestrian and vehicular circulation, both during construction and permanently, to meet the needs of a 14-acre innovation district in a dense, urban setting
Balance of shared, flexible and collaborative spaces with the need for privacy and security to support clinical and research activities
Assessment of ongoing changes in both the research and construction landscapes
Development of plans for future phases while ensuring alignment with Bedrock’s long-term vision for the innovation district that supports the economy and community alike.
Design remains an iterative process, with continued refinement to maximize efficiency, accessibility and technological integration while respecting the site’s historical and cultural identity.
Q: What are the key design principles guiding future phases of the Gratiot Site development, particularly as the district grows into a global destination for innovation?
Eileen Sellaro: Future phases aim to support programs that expand collaborative research opportunities, increase community engagement, attract and retain talent, and inspire future generations to pursue science.
