Capital Strategies

Project Background

Located at the corner of University Avenue and Oxford Street in downtown Berkeley, the North Building will be the second major facility on the 1.86-acre Berkeley Innovation Zone site. The project will support leading-edge research and entrepreneurial activity in the life sciences, genomics, and related areas. The approximately 169,000-square-foot building will provide state-of-the-art wet labs, flexible research and office space, and collaborative environments for UC Berkeley faculty, researchers, and campus-affiliated startups.

Designed to foster inclusive innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, the North Building will serve as a dynamic hub for researchers and entrepreneurs. In addition to laboratory and administrative space, the building will feature conference rooms, shared work areas, and informal gathering spaces—including one on the top floor with sweeping views of the UC Berkeley campus. The building will also include a landscaped courtyard shared with the adjacent South Building, providing a welcoming outdoor space for both informal use and organized events.

The North Building reflects UC Berkeley's commitment to sustainable design. The project will be all-electric, incorporate a rooftop solar array, and achieve a minimum of LEED Gold certification. Additional design features include high-efficiency building systems, a high-performance envelope, and low-carbon construction materials. With construction expected to begin in 2026 and last approximately two years, the North Building will further solidify the Innovation Zone as a vibrant ecosystem for groundbreaking research and startup incubation—aligned with the university's mission to serve the public good through knowledge, discovery, and innovation.