The Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI), recognized as one of the world's premier blood health research centers, submitted its expansion plans for approval to the city of Wauwatosa’s Design Review Board. Located at 8727 West Watertown Plank Road, the expansion is a state-of-the-art 79,000 square-foot addition that will nearly double VBRI’s research capacity, add approximately 100 new jobs and generate an estimated $19 million in additional tax revenue for the state of Wisconsin over 30 years.
The project is expected to have a total economic impact for the state of more than half a billion dollars by 2050. HGA is serving as the architect and Mortenson is the general contractor for the new facility. The first renderings of the VBRI addition were recently released to the public. Groundbreaking on the expansion project is scheduled to begin later this year with an estimated completion date in 2026.
The new addition will expand the VBRI's research capacity and promote the discovery of novel, more effective, and less toxic therapies for a broad range of conditions that affect millions, positively impacting the health of residents across the state, nation, and international community.
“The expansion represents a crucial milestone for the Versiti Blood Research Institute. Renowned for our innovative and leading research and extensive knowledge of bleeding and clotting disorders, we are now broadening our focus to include blood cancers and immune system diseases,” said Chris Miskel, president and CEO of Versiti. “This initiative signifies a transformative phase where we can make a positive difference in the health and welfare of patients and families, both locally in Milwaukee and globally.”
The VBRI is nearing capacity and plans to expand its current team of 31 principal scientists to approximately 50 in the next 5-7 years. Each new scientist will bring a team of up to 10 new colleagues, exponentially increasing the research community and enhancing the culture of
collaboration. This will bring the total number of researchers and staff from approximately 200 to more than 350.
The expansion is a $79 million project that will include donations and private funding. A $10 million grant to support the project has been earmarked within Gov. Tony Evers’ 2023-25 budget proposal, reaffirming the state’s commitment to advancing blood health research.
“Our organization is built on a foundation of collaboration, and we know we cannot write this next chapter alone,” said Miskel. “The next phase of the VBRI will only be made possible through collaboration—from our research and healthcare partners to donors in our community. We encourage everyone to join us to invest in research, invest in growth, invest in innovation, invest in hope.”
Versiti is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit headquartered in Milwaukee, with more than 2,200 employees at its locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. Learn more at Versiti.org/InvestinginHope.
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About Versiti
Versiti is a world-class blood health organization with locations across the Midwest. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Versiti was formed with a mission of service to improve patient outcomes, advance the field of personalized medicine and strengthen the health of communities everywhere. We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve, providing innovative, value-added solutions in the fields of transfusion medicine, transplantation, and blood-related diseases. From research and diagnostic testing to the sharing of lifesaving gifts through blood, organ and tissue donation, the collective efforts across Versiti result in more hope for the communities that trust us. For more information, visit Versiti.org.