A rendering of Quest Diagnostics’ planned 250,000-square-foot laboratory facility at the ON3 campus in Clifton. — Courtesy: Quest Diagnostics
By Joshua Burd
Quest Diagnostics has taken the wraps off its plans at the ON3 campus in Nutley and Clifton, where it will build a 250,000-square-foot flagship laboratory facility that will become the largest in its portfolio.
The company, which is based in nearby Secaucus, offered new details on Wednesday about the project at the mixed-use campus on Route 3, which is owned by Prism Capital Partners. With the initial work already underway, the new lab is expected to be operational by early 2021 and will bolster the diagnostic information services it provides to more than 40 million people in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
The complex will occupy about 12 acres within the 116-acre campus, the former longtime home of Hoffmann-La Roche, which Prism is now redeveloping and has rebranded as ON3. Last fall, the state Economic Development Authority approved a 10-year, $55.2 million tax credit award for Quest aimed at supporting what was an estimated capital investment of $230 million.
“Our new flagship laboratory will enable us to empower better health through a comprehensive testing menu, faster turnaround, and additional capacity to serve more patients and clients,” said Steve Rusckowski, Quest’s chairman, CEO and president. “Rooted in innovation, this new lab will also provide our employees with an inspiring workplace.
“This is a major commitment to our presence in New Jersey where we are headquartered, and it is good news for the health care providers and patients we serve.”
The lab will become the largest in Quest’s network of more than 20 major laboratory facilities across the nation and will employ more than 1,100 people, according to a news release. It will also look to build on the success of the company’s so-called Lab of the Future in Marlborough, Massachusetts, incorporating innovative uses of building design and automated technology to provide a broad range of advanced diagnostic information services.
At ON3, it will join the Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University and the biotech company Modern Meadow, which already operate at the campus. Prism has also secured commitments from Ralph Lauren Corp., which will occupy 250,000 square feet at an existing building that will be renovated.
“We are thrilled to welcome Quest Diagnostics to the ON3 campus,” said Eugene Diaz, a principal partner with Prism. “There is a sense of excitement and possibility at ON3, which is fast becoming the most highly sought-after business address in New Jersey.”
In approving the project last year, the EDA said the new building in Clifton would house more than 750 positions that are currently at a Quest-owned building in Teterboro, but were at risk of being moved out of the state. The proposal at the time also called for relocating 269 employees currently in Pennsylvania and Maryland, along with the creation of another 115 new jobs.
