The project, which IDEC is building with its San Diego-based development partner Cisterra Partners, is slated to rise on a 42.6-acre site near the northwest corner of Nobel Drive and I-805. Its first phase will involve the construction of two lab buildings, two office facilities and a "commons" building comprised of a cafeteria, fitness center and conference rooms. The five facilities are slated to encompass a total of 352,000 sf. Aside from the development of the new buildings, Phase I will also entail the construction of Judicial Drive running along the western boundary of the site. This endeavor will provide a connecting street between Nobel Drive and Eastgate Mall.

At build-out, Phase I of the IDEC complex is expected to accommodate 1,000 employees with the first group expected to move here in the summer of 2004. The successful completion of the project will allow the firm to consolidate from its five present locations into one campus. Later phases are expected to provide for any additional growth, as they will add approximately 415,000 sf to the complex. Hellmuth, Obata + Kaasbaum is the project's architect, while Turner Construction is serving as the general contractor.

Founded in 1985 to develop and commercialize treatments for non-Hodgkins lymphoma, IDEC currently makes products aimed at addressing immune system disorders and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The company's stock closed at $30.65 on Tuesday.