NYC Economic Development Corporation, Science Park and Research Campus at Kips Bay, Manhattan, NY

“Size:
2 million SF

highlights:
life sciences and public health innovation hub
”

The Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC) at Kips Bay is a transformative life sciences and public health innovation hub being developed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation in collaboration with the City of New York and the State of New York.

SPARC is part of NYC’s broader LifeSci NYC initiative aimed at solidifying the city’s leadership in the life sciences sector, driving economic growth, and creating thousands of jobs across research, healthcare, biotech, and STEM industries.

SETTY is providing MEP/FP design for the health and science-focused public high school and Fire Protection and Plumbing design for facilities that will house the Hunter College School of Nursing, the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, and other academic programs.

At the center of the master plan is a 700,000 SF state-of-the-art education building designed by Ennead and Dattner Architects. This flagship facility will bring together CUNY institutions—including Hunter College School of Nursing, the Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, and Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)—alongside a new health and science-focused public high school.

Enhancing the campus experience, SPARC will feature a pedestrian bridge over the FDR Drive, improving access and connectivity to the East River waterfront in addition to a transformative floodproofing and resilient infrastructure, ensuring long-term durability and climate adaptation at this waterfront site.

Part of a nearly 2 million SF vertical campus on Manhattan’s East Side, SPARC is a joint City and State initiative backed by approximately $1.6 billion in public funding and designed to attract billions more in private investment. The project will integrate STEM education, workforce training, and life sciences innovation in a single connected environment—serving as a national model for urban public health and science infrastructure.

Our designs incorporate sustainable, high-performance building systems that meet the specialized needs of instructional labs, classrooms, and training spaces. From lab-ready plumbing infrastructure to efficient fire protection systems, Setty’s engineering supports SPARC’s vision for resilient, low-carbon academic facilities that can adapt to evolving program requirements.