Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have unveiled the master plan for the Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC) Kips Bay, a new life sciences hub located on Hunter College’s Brookdale Campus at East 25th Street and First Avenue in Kips Bay. Designed to transform a full city block, SPARC Kips Bay is expected to create over 15,000 jobs and generate an economic impact of $42 billion over 30 years.
Aerial view of SPARC Kips Bay, looking northwest, via edc.nyc
The campus will host state-of-the-art facilities for institutions like the Hunter College School of Nursing and the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Public Health, with up to 2 million square feet dedicated to academic, public health, and life sciences facilities. A key aspect of the project is its focus on workforce and educational opportunities, offering extensive programs to connect local public school students to careers in life sciences and healthcare. Additionally, the project includes a community task force and plans for a pedestrian bridge and public spaces to ensure community engagement and accessibility.
View of SPARC Kips Bay with Innovation East at right, looking south from Bellevue Hospital on First Avenue near 27th Street, via edc.nyc
The project involves key partners such as CUNY, the New York City Department of Education, and private life sciences companies. A Request for Proposals has been issued for the first phase, which focuses on designing public spaces and community infrastructure. The project, expected to break ground in late 2025 and complete construction by 2031, aligns with New York State’s $620 million Life Science Initiative, fostering growth in the life sciences sector.
View from SPARC Square, looking west, via edc.nyc
“It’s no secret that New York City has always been an epicenter for great talent and workforce alike and the SPARC Kips Bay campus will continue this legacy by creating 15,000 jobs right here in Kips Bay,” said Mayor Adams. “This campus will bridge the next generation to the future, taking students New York City students of today directly into the economy of tomorrow with higher education opportunities through our academic partners at CUNY and internships in every level.”
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