The Terasaki Research Institute began construction in February for an office building on Westwood Boulevard scheduled to open next spring.
The institute, a research group founded by Dr. Paul Terasaki, late professor emeritus of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine, will open a new center on Westwood Boulevard next to Urban Outfitters, said Matthew Everly, director of the Terasaki Research Institute.
Taslimi Construction, a company that specializes in commercial construction and office interiors, began building the 15,000-square-foot, 20-office structure two months ago. Researchers, scientists and clinicians will use the building to further medical research on solid organ transplantation. The building will also include a medical bookstore on its street level.
Everly said he could not disclose the cost of the project.
Steve Sann, chair of the Westwood Community Council, said the location previously housed a two-storefront retail building but has been unoccupied for many years.
Terasaki graduated from UCLA in 1950 and later established a kidney transplant registry. He died at the age of 86 in January from kidney disease.
Everly said the research institute chose to open the building in Westwood to be close to UCLA because the Terasaki Family Foundation and Terasaki Research Institute are both affiliated with the university.