Construction continues on VCU’s Engineering Research Building
The four-story, 133,000-square-foot Engineering Research Building is scheduled to open in late 2020. (Photo by Kevin Morley, University Relations)

Oct. 17, 2019

‘Topping off’ ceremony marks construction milestone for VCU’s Engineering Research Building

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By Leila Ugincius

With the final steel beam now in place, faculty and students at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering are a step closer to a collaboration hub that will support advanced research and economic development.

The VCU community signed the final beam that would "top off" the new Engineering Research Building under construction at Belvidere and Cary streets.
The VCU community signed the final beam that would "top off" the new Engineering Research Building under construction at Belvidere and Cary streets. (Photo by Kevin Morley, University Relations)

Earlier this week, a “topping off” ceremony of the new Engineering Research Building at Cary and Belvidere streets marked completion of a critical phase of the project.

VCU officials and community members inscribed messages and signed their names on the beam before it was raised to the top level of the building and secured into place.

“The collaborative research and discovery that happens here will benefit countless human beings,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. “Diversity of background and ideas will lead to solutions to problems we once thought to be insurmountable.” 

The four-story, 133,000-square-foot facility will emphasize makerspaces, collaborative research facilities and flexible gathering areas to support student-centered learning, research, workforce development and a culture that promotes creativity, entrepreneurship and global perspectives.  

The building is scheduled to open in late 2020.