Portland, ME Consigli Construction Co., Inc. recently joined Northeastern University, local officials and project partners to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roux Institute’s new, permanent campus.

Supported through investments from David and Barbara Roux and the Harold Alfond Foundation, the new campus at the site of the former B&M Baked Beans factory will permanently house the Roux Institute as a research hub to develop local talent in STEM education and drive regional economic growth, anchored by the new Learning, Research and Collaboration (LRC) Building. 

“This new campus will be a research hub focused on educating the next generation of talent in the digital, AI and life sciences sectors and will help drive sustained economic growth in Maine - and beyond,” said Chris Mallett, chief administrative officer of Northeastern University’s Roux Institute. “Importantly, the campus will not only benefit members of the Northeastern community, but also the people of Portland and all Mainers who, for the first time in over a century, will have access to this beautiful waterfront location on Casco Bay.”

“Consigli is proud to be part of a project that prioritizes local talent and businesses,” said Consigli Construction Co., Inc. project executive Matt Tonello. “Not only will the new Roux Institute campus support future Northeastern University students and faculty here in Portland, but this project – from its groundbreaking to its grand opening and beyond – will also have a positive impact on the people of Maine, our workforce and the future of our regional economy for many years to come.”

Central to the campus, the 245,000 s/f LRC Building, will deliver an educational facility equipped with classrooms and research spaces for collaboration and innovation, integrated with convertible wet and dry laboratories and maker, communal and office spaces. Additionally, the new building will offer students and faculty with features such as a café, catering and preparation kitchens and outdoor amenities.

Representative of Northeastern and the Roux Institute’s steadfast commitment to climate resiliency, sustainability and carbon neutrality, the LRC Building is targeting net-zero emissions. During pre- construction, the project team performed significant analyses of sustainable building methods to support ambitious energy efficiency goals and high-efficiency building operations. Additionally, the building’s superstructure will be partially constructed of mass timber for reduced embodied carbon and carbon emissions on the project.

“CambridgeSeven is thrilled to be leading the skilled team designing and building the Roux Institute in Portland, ME, from our close partnership with Dave and Barb Roux and Northeastern University to our longtime collaborators at Consigli Construction Company,” said CambridgeSeven principal in charge Timothy Mansfield, AIA. “Together we are bringing our bold, groundbreaking design to fruition, reflecting not only Maine’s rich architectural heritage, but also manifesting the vision of an innovation economy that will grow and thrive in Maine for generations to come.”

The campus will also include a publicly accessible pier, which will provide waterfront access to visitors and residents for the first time in over a century.

The new facility will enable Northeastern University to better serve the more than 800 graduate students currently enrolled in programs on the Portland campus and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027.