In the past two years FIU has erected or renovated more than 10 buildings on Modesto Maidique and Biscayne Bay campuses to make room for much needed laboratories and classroom spaces. Some of these new environmentally friendly buildings are predicted to use nearly 50 percent less water and electricity than their traditional counterparts. The newest building, Academic Health Center 5, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and houses the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work and other research groups.
“When you first see the structure and then walk into the building, I think everyone is struck by the unique shape, look and architecture of the building,” said Dean Michele Ciccazzo. “It is magnificent.”
Take a tour of the latest additions to FIU.
Academic Health Center 5 (AHC-5)
Purpose: Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, College of Arts & Sciences and International Hurricane Research Center research facilities, classrooms, offices
Size: 121,465 SF
Cost: $44.9 million
Cool feature: Huge cantilever that houses laboratory space
Opened: July 2014
See photos from concept to construction.
Academic Health Center 4 (AHC-4)
Purpose: Scientific research facility for the College of Medicine and the College of Arts & Sciences, wet and dry labs, classrooms and seminar rooms
Size: 136,082 SF
Cost: $57.5 million
Cool feature: A customized mass spectrometer laboratory
Opened: March 2013
Parkview Housing
Purpose: Student living
Size: 620 beds with 290-car parking garage
Cost: $55 million
Cool feature: Floor-to-ceiling, glassed-in common room overlooking FIU Stadium
Opened: August 2013
Take a video tour of Parkview.
Student Academic Support Center (SASC)
Purpose: Honors College and University Graduate School offices, Enrollment Services, Student Financials, classrooms
Size: 73,173 Gross SF
Cost: $25.6 million
Cool feature: 750-seat auditorium, largest at FIU
Opening: June 2015
Satellite Chiller Plant
Purpose: Improve campus energy efficiency
Size: 14,000 SF
Cost: $7.1 million
Cool feature: Plant provides chilled water for laboratories when power goes down
Opened: April 2013
Stocker AstroScience Center
Purpose: Astronomy research observatory, classrooms
Size: 10,233 SF
Cost: $4.4 million
Cool feature: Control room inspired by the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”
Opened: January 2014
Management and New Growth Opportunities Building (MANGO)
Purpose: College of Business and FIU Online, classrooms
Size: 107,912 SF
Cost: $35.7 million
Cool feature: First floor mall with Starbucks, Panda Express, Taco Bell
Opening: Fall 2014
Ambulatory Care Center
Purpose: In partnership with Miami-Dade County, a treatment and diagnostic center open to the public
Size: 32,023 SF
Cost: $8.6 million
Cool feature: The new 109th Street bridge spanning 8th Street will lead pedestrians to the center
Opening: November 2014
Read more about the outpatient center.
Parking Garage 6 (PG6)
Purpose: Parking, bus port, retail
Size: 2,000 parking spaces, 35,000 SF
Cost: $42.6 million
Opening: January 2015
Restaurant Management Lab
Purpose: Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management advanced food production lab and brewing science lab
Size: 140 seat
Cost: $2 million
Cool feature: Two-story wine tower and spirits demonstration bar
Opened: September 2013
Take a video tour of the new facility.
Wolfe University Center Renovation
Purpose: Modernize interior and exterior of the Panther Square gathering area with new facades, new seating and a coffee shop. Mary Ann Wolfe Theater also being renovated.
Cost: $3.25 million
Cool feature: A bronze Panther statue for Panther Square
Opened: March 2014
See the completed renovation. ♦
— Deborah O’Neil MA ’09 and Ray Boyle