Crystal Williams | ICTR

Excitement is growing on the East Baltimore campus as construction progresses on the new Henrietta Lacks Building, a 34,000-square-foot facility set to open its doors in spring 2027. Located at the corner of Ashland and Rutland avenues and adjoining Deering Hall, this vibrant new space will serve as a multidisciplinary hub for learning, discovery, and community-focused medical research.

The Henrietta Lacks Building is named in honor of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her consent in 1951 and are considered “immortal.” These cells, capable of reproducing indefinitely, have played a pivotal role in countless medical breakthroughs, from cancer research to the development of the polio vaccine. Henrietta Lacks’s story has sparked important conversations about research ethics and patient rights, ensuring her legacy remains at the heart of medical progress.

Since plans were first announced in 2018, with initial designs shared in 2022 by Vines Architecture, the building has attracted anticipation for its promise to nurture the next wave of ethical medical research and facilitate meaningful community dialogue. Thursday, February 26, marked a milestone as the team celebrated the “Topping Off” ceremony, placing the final iron beam on the highest floor.

The building will provide a dynamic setting for gatherings and will enable new opportunities for collaboration.

With construction moving quickly, the Henrietta Lacks Building is poised to do justice to the transformative legacy of its namesake, offering future generations a place to learn, connect, and promote ethical progress in medical research.

Learn More:

Johns Hopkins Breaks Ground on Building Named in Honor of Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks Building Updates