Inside Hemostasis Reference Laboratory’s Custom Life Science Lab at McMaster Innovation Park

The first stage of renovating  the former Hamilton Spectator Building at 44 FRID Street to accommodate custom lab space, has been completed by the life science building experts at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP). 

Within months of announcing 44 Frid as the new home for Hemostasis Reference Laboratory (HRL), the MIP led team completed the 6,000 sq. ft. turn-key laboratory construction project on time and on budget. “Part of the mechanical requirements was the provision of appropriate air changes for the intended use of the lab in a low carbon design”, explains Frances Grabowski, Director of Project Management at MIP.   “The lab also required a high-efficiency ventilation system which meant running the specialized duct work and connecting the fume hood to meet Biosafety Laboratory Standards (BSL2),” says Grabowski.  

MIP has been developing adaptive reuse buildings into state-of-the-art laboratories with the objective of reducing our carbon footprint with a Net Zero strategy. The timeline for project delivery is also significantly reduced when compared to new buildings and part of the reason MIP can meet the growing demand for custom lab space in Hamilton.

“The team at MIP understood our urgency for a customized lab space and they delivered in a timely manner. They were quite flexible in designing and building the appropriate space to ensure our equipment fit well and served our needs,” commented Jeff Spence, General Manager of HRL. 

MIP is actively leasing lab space at 44 FRID street which is designed for flexible and scalable labs.