Press Release
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July 17th marked the construction kickoff for 22 WestEdge, a striking new workplace anchor for the city's growing knowledge economy and the highly anticipated centerpiece of the WestEdge District. The iconic 125-foot, eight-story structure will be the tallest multi-tenant office building on the peninsula and in Charleston's metropolitan area when it opens in November 2019.
“22 WestEdge affirms the vision for a Live, Learn and Earn district, adding vital office, research and lab components to the world class WestEdge community. It builds on the remarkable momentum of a development that already has over $300 million under construction,” said Michael Maher, CEO of The WestEdge Foundation, Inc., the non-profit sponsor of the overall development.
Even prior to the 22 WestEdge groundbreaking, area economic development proponents including The Medical University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Research Authority, the City of Charleston, Heritage Trust and the WestEdge Foundation committed to 22 WestEdge, forming the nucleus of entities working to incubate, attract and retain entrepreneurial talent to energize the Charleston economy. While 48% of the space is currently leased, 72,000 square feet of office space and 10,000 square feet of retail space remain available for existing local businesses, or for new companies being created or relocating to the Charleston region. This is a remarkable concentration of ingenuity ⎯ over 35,000 people live, work, study and seek healthcare expertise in the adjacent medical district.
Partnership and innovation opportunities abound for 22 WestEdge tenants—with unprecedented access to like-minded neighbors and colleagues in Charleston's life sciences sector. Dr. David Cole, President of MUSC shared, “With MUSC's $275 million of research and proprietary discoveries, 22 WestEdge will allow the University to collaborate with private industry to create new healthcare solutions, new companies and recruit existing global medical-related companies to Charleston.” Bob Quinn, Executive Director of the SCRA agreed, “SCRA's leasing of the entire top floor of 22 WestEdge will allow us to create a world-class facility, including laboratories, which will serve as a catalyst for the attraction of leading life sciences companies and the creation of a Discovery District adjacent to MUSC.”
Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg echoed, “It's no secret that biomedical advances will be a key driver of our economy and society in the years ahead. With 156,000 square feet of office space dedicated to precisely the kind of research and enterprise that will help make those breakthroughs possible, 22 WestEdge is a welcome and important addition to our city's medical district.”
22 WestEdge office tenants will also benefit from the energy and vitality of the district. Recently completed, The Caroline has 237 apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and the topped-out 10 WestEdge will have 350 residential units, a Publix Super Market, Woodhouse Spa and additional retail and restaurant space, providing an abundance of shopping, eating and living options for all. 22 WestEdge's own amenities include 15,000 square feet of cafes and fitness facilities, common conference and event facilities and a terrace wrapping the 7th floor with sweeping views of the Ashley River. Mack Reese, 22 WestEdge developer and partner, explains his reason for developing the project, “With its access to parking, numerous retail amenities and an urban density of residential opportunities for employees, the building will be a new and exciting option for existing Charleston businesses and those looking to relocate to the region.”
Upon completion, WestEdge's master-planned mixed-use district will encompass more than 3,000,000 square feet of space on 60 acres along the Ashley River adjacent to MUSC and the Medical District, and fronting on Brittlebank Park and the Joseph Riley Baseball Stadium. WestEdge is a public-private partnership created to advance economic development and expand the research capabilities of the Medical University of South Carolina and foster new companies and collaborative opportunities with private industry. It is an innovative redevelopment that is transforming the quality of life for Charleston's west side.
