UM Life Science & Tech Park Signs 11,600 SF

University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park developer Wexford Science & Technology is adding six new retailers to its R&D complex in Miami’s Health District.
Balans Restaurant, Thea Pizzeria and Cafe, UPS Store, Subway, Quantum Fitness and Liberty Dry Cleaners will provide a variety of services to park tenants, the larger Health District, and nearby residential and commercial neighborhoods. They will occupy a combined 11,600 square feet of prime retail space at 1951 NW 7^th Avenue, on the ground floor of the park’s first building, which includes office space, wet and dry labs, and an Innovation Center offering shared business services to emerging tenants.
The 252,000 square foot building is currently 63% occupied less than six months after opening. Tenants include Advanced Pharma CR, LLC, Community Blood Centers of Florida, the University of Miami Tissue Bank, Spain-based technology firm Ándago, medical device firm DayaMed, Heat Biologics, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Binder Biomedical, and the Enterprise Development Corporation of South Florida, among others.
“The addition of these retailers will add dining amenities and everyday services to our growing tenant base, activating the street and opening our park to the surrounding Health District in the process,” said Bill Hunter, Leasing Manager for the University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park. “A stable base of retail tenants is a critical component of the community-natured ‘cluster effect’ that is gradually taking shape on our campus and throughout the broader Health District.”
Another locally-owned business coming to the park is Liberty Dry Cleaners, which will provide full-service dry cleaning and laundering. National restaurant chain Subway, known for its sandwiches and salads, will offer a healthy and fast mid-range alternative to park tenants. Quantum Fitness will operate a fitness center. The UPS Store will offer packing, shipping, printing, and business services.
Kerry Newman of Koniver Stern Group represented Wexford Science & Technology in the retail transactions. “The new retail signings at the University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park represent a healthy mix of national chains and locally-owned and operated businesses,” according to Mr.  Newman. “Service providers such as Liberty Dry Cleaners, the UPS Store and Quantum Fitness will provide a strong complement to a range of dining options. These are much-needed additions to the Health District.”
The project’s current master plan includes five buildings comprising between 1.6 and 2 million square feet of space at full build out. The park’s first building is projected to create more than 1,150 direct and indirect jobs, according to a study by the Washington Economics Group.