WestEdge Launched as World Class Research Community to Help Advance Economic Future of Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C., May 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WestEdge launched today as Charleston, S.C.'s "Discovery District" that could soon become a global hub for research and a driving economic force for the city's future.

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WestEdge is designed with wide, urbane avenues of residences, offices, research and lab space, storefronts, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and offers some of the best waterfront views in the city along the Ashley River. Pedestrians, businesses and collaboration will take center stage in what is defined as a "Live / Learn / Earn" environment. WestEdge is designed to inspire and enrich the minds and bodies of its people so they can, in turn, inspire and enrich others. 

City of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. helped lead public / private efforts to build WestEdge along with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the MUSC Foundation, and HPF, Inc. Riley said WestEdge launches a bold new era that will help define Charleston's future.

"I strongly believe that communities need to pivot if they want to progress," said Riley. "That's what WestEdge represents; a shift that positions Charleston as a leader in the bio-technology research industry."

Dr. David J. Cole, MUSC President, said WestEdge will provide MUSC a competitive advantage in recruiting the brightest thought leaders in healthcare research and life sciences. Dr. Cole said MUSC's presence in WestEdge will play a vital role in the expansion of its research programs and further the collaboration between MUSC and the business community.

Michael Maher, HPF's CEO, said WestEdge will positively impact Charleston on four distinct levels: environment, community, economy and health. "Local neighbors and the economy will benefit from convenience, infrastructure improvements, high wage jobs and new investment," said Maher. "The design of walkable, bike-able, vibrant spaces supports the research that will lead to life-changing discoveries."

Architectural plans have been submitted for the first two anchor buildings, including:

• 10 WestEdge - a mixed use building to include a grocery store flanked by retail / restaurant space with outdoor dining at street level, 350 residential units and a parking garage enclosed within the structure. 
• 22 WestEdge  - is the community's first research and office building with 151,000 square feet. Planners refer to the building's design of lab, research, office and street-front retail space as a "world class research building."

"WestEdge presents a unique opportunity to improve the physical and business connections between MUSC and the Charleston community and both the 10 and 22 WestEdge buildings have been designed to accommodate the demand from these collaborative relationships," said Mack Reese of Gateway Development Services, working with Maher and HPF as master developer and is developing the initial buildings.

For more information, contact
J. Dean Foster, Foster AMG, Inc.
843-810-0346   Email
Or, Michael Maher, CEO, HPF, Inc.
843.209.4939   Email
Or, Mack Reese, Gateway Development Services
770-310-3414   Email

www.westedgecharleston.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/WestEdge-Charleston
www.gatewaydevelopmentservices.com 
www.wrsrealestate.com  
www.southcitypartners.com

SOURCE WestEdge Charleston

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http://www.westedgecharleston.com