Georgia State University has officially begun construction on a 155,000-square-foot Research Tower on its downtown Atlanta campus, located off Decatur Street. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the nine-story facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, flexible research spaces, and modern teaching environments designed to enhance collaboration and innovation.

“This is more than just a physical space. This building expands our capacity for discovery and learning both at Georgia State University and in the Atlanta area,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake during the Jan. 15 groundbreaking ceremony.

Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, and other notable officials joined university leaders at the event. “We are deeply committed to growing infrastructure that serves our students, faculty, and research community,” said Georgia State Provost Nicolle Parsons-Pollard.

Georgia State’s designation as an R1 research university has fueled significant growth in research expenditures, which increased from $91 million in 2012 to $215 million in 2022. The Research Tower will address the rising demand for research and academic facilities, supporting the university's expanding programs.

Beyond its academic mission, the tower will contribute to Atlanta’s economic growth. In fiscal year 2023, Georgia State University contributed $3.2 billion to the metro Atlanta economy, according to a University System of Georgia report.

“The Research Tower expands both our facilities and our potential for impact,” said Donald Hamelberg, interim vice president for Research and Economic Development. “The collaborative environment allows us to drive knowledge that helps foster growth, create jobs, and expand Georgia’s competitive edge in research and innovation.”