Washington, D.C. – Howard University today announced a multi-floor lease to anchor the National Research Center for Health Disparities (NRCHD) – a new 200,000 square foot mission-driven lab and office building adjacent to their Washington, D.C campus. Unique in the country, the NRCHD will create a centralized hub for addressing disparities in healthcare incidence, accessibility, treatment, and outcomes.
NRCHD is designed to facilitate collaboration by connecting industry, foundations, and Howard’s research initiatives to develop solutions to diseases that affect systematically marginalized communities worldwide. Its location adjacent to Howard’s campus provides proximity to policymakers and key federal agencies and most importantly, a direct connection to the community it is intended to serve.
“The impact of health disparities on our communities continue to challenge us to find new and innovative approaches to achieving optimal health for everyone—without regard to race, ethnicity, age or gender,” said Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., Howard University president. “Howard’s new National Research Center for Health Disparities positions the University to uniquely lead the next generation of research efforts that are critical to addressing the growing complexity of our healthcare needs.”
The Center will be an innovative state-of-the-art laboratory and office complex adjacent to Howard University's historic campus in Washington, D.C. It will also include neighborhood-focused, ground-level retail space and outdoor plazas, providing venues for university and community gatherings. The NRCHD’s first phase will offer advanced laboratory and flexible office space to meet the emerging needs of tenants with research incubators, collaboration areas to encourage idea exchange, and spaces for policy development.
“Howard University and its associated research enterprise will be key co-collaborators in the center,” said Andrea Hayes-Dixon, M.D., Dean of the Howard University College of Medicine. “Our initial focus will be on our efforts directed to solving key issues that affect our communities, specifically regarding heart health, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, Gastric Intestinal and cancer in the Health Sciences. but also incorporating companion efforts from our colleagues in the STEM disciplines.”
Howard is developing the NRCHD in conjunction with Quadrangle Development and Capstone Development. The ownership group is being advised by the CBRE commercial real estate company, which is in advanced discussions with a shortlisted group of biotech and pharma companies for the balance of the space.
Howard’s leadership role in this project supports the university’s research capabilities and is another step towards achieving the highest distinction in research, Research 1 (R1) status. It aligns with other previously announced investments in research, health, and education, including $785 million investment in academic facilities and $650 million for a new Howard University Hospital. Howard University is already recognized as a leading institution for Ph.D.’s awarded to Black scholars and the top training institution for minority physicians.
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About Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.
Quadrangle Development Corporation is a leading commercial real estate firm focused in the greater Washington, D.C. region specializing in the development and ownership of institutional-quality apartments, office buildings, hotels, build-to-suit projects including life science facilities, and mixed-use properties. With a cohesive team managing all stages from design to execution, Quadrangle's commitment to innovative design and community alignment positions them as a key contributor to the NRCHD. For more information, please see https://www.quadrangledevelopment.com/.
Capstone Development, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a prominent real estate development and investment firm specializing in urban hospitality, residential, and mixed-use projects. With over two million square feet of urban real estate in their portfolio—including the Washington Marriott Marquis developed in partnership with Quadrangle—Capstone excels in forming public-private partnerships and engaging diverse community stakeholders. Their expertise makes them an ideal partner for the NRCHD project.
Howard, Quadrangle, and Capstone selected CBRE Group, Inc. as the exclusive leasing partner for NRCHD. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, CBRE is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. Operating in more than 100 countries with over 130,000 professionals, CBRE brings extensive market insight and global expertise as the exclusive leasing partner for the NRCHD.
