UC Regents Approved UCLA Research Park Construction
The board authorized a $34 million infrastructure plan to retrofit the former Westside Pavilion mall for research use.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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In September 2026, the UC Board of Regents approved construction plans for the eastern wing of the UCLA Research Park at the former Westside Pavilion mall. This project aims to convert the site into a facility for the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, the UCLA Quantum Innovation Hub, and the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
Why it matters
The redevelopment aims to consolidate high-level research infrastructure in Los Angeles by repurposing existing commercial real estate. By housing quantum and medical research hubs together, the university seeks to accelerate innovation in fields requiring specialized lab environments.
The approved $34 million budget focuses on structural improvements to 796,800 square feet of space at the Pico and Westwood Boulevard site. This includes 271,000 square feet dedicated to wet and dry laboratories and 214,000 square feet for office use.
The players
UC Board of Regents
The governing body responsible for the management and oversight of the University of California system.
UCLA Research Park
A new research campus facility currently under development at the former Westside Pavilion site.
UCLA Quantum Innovation Hub
An academic initiative focused on advancing quantum computing architectures and practical applications.
The details
The construction work involves replacing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to bring the former retail space up to modern research standards. These upgrades include installing specialized climate control and power distribution necessary for wet laboratories—spaces designed for biological and chemical testing—and dry laboratories, which house computer-based and quantum research hardware.
Timeline
The UC Board of Regents approved the construction plans in September 2026.
Construction work is projected to begin in October 2026.
The core and shell improvements are slated for completion by the end of 2028.
All project components are expected to be finished by 2035.
The Tech Race
This renovation follows the development trajectory of the UCLA Quantum Innovation Hub, which requires specialized climate-controlled facilities to scale its operations. The project signals a regional effort to secure dedicated infrastructure for long-term quantum and medical research competition.
The site will eventually host researchers from the UCLA Quantum Innovation Hub and medical schools, altering the local professional landscape at Pico and Westwood. Residents should expect construction activity to begin in October 2026 and continue through 2035 as the site rolls out in phases.
The takeaway
The transformation of the former Westside Pavilion represents a significant commitment to localizing high-tech laboratory infrastructure. Interested stakeholders can watch for construction updates beginning in October 2026 as the site moves toward its initial completion date at the end of 2028.
Further reading
Explore the broader shift in infrastructure for researchers at Quantum Computing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Urbanize LA.
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