The Daily Dig
The Gilbane | Turner joint venture has completed structural steel on the $1.7 billion Wadsworth Center Laboratory in Albany, New York. The topping out of the five-story, 663,000 square foot public health lab was announced on October 21, 2026.
HOK is the design partner on the project. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and the New York State Department of Health are the state partners.
Tons of Work
The frame took more than 8,200 major steel components, totaling approximately 5,545 tons.
Tradespeople, project partners, and state and local officials signed the final beam before it went up at the W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus. Governor Kathy Hochul joined the celebration.
More than 200 skilled tradespeople are currently working onsite each day. They come from approximately 40 contractor businesses.
“Reaching the topping out milestone is a tremendous accomplishment for our entire project team and a testament to the dedication, craftsmanship, and collaboration with trade partners and the skilled tradespeople,” said Carl Stewart III, Vice President and General Manager, Turner.
Five Sites, One Roof
This is the largest construction project in DASNY’s history. It’s also one of New York State’s most significant investments in public health infrastructure.
Once complete, the building will consolidate five existing Department of Health lab locations across the Capital Region. Nearly 800 employees will end up working under one roof.
“The new Wadsworth Center Laboratory will strengthen New York’s ability to protect public health for generations to come,” said Keith Leal, Vice President and Upstate New York Business Leader, Gilbane Building.
Snapshot:
Project: Wadsworth Center Laboratory
Location: W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus, Albany, New York
Builder: Gilbane | Turner joint venture
Design Partner: HOK
State Partners: DASNY; New York State Department of Health
Delivery Method: Design-build (as described by Gilbane’s Keith Leal)
Sector: Public health laboratory
Value: $1.7 billion
Size: 663,000 sq. ft., five stories
Status: Structural steel complete (topping out announced October 21, 2026)
Steel: 8,200+ major components, approx. 5,545 tons
Workforce: 200+ tradespeople onsite daily, approx. 40 contractor businesses
Consolidation: Five DOH lab locations across the Capital Region
Occupants: Nearly 800 employees
Distinction: Largest construction project in DASNY’s history
Officials Present: Governor Kathy Hochul
TheJobWalk Thoughts
Topping out a lab is a bit like finishing the appetizer. Steel is a serious job in its own right, but on lab buildings it’s rarely the hardest part. The tougher work usually comes in MEP, exhaust, controls, and casework, which is where lab schedules tend to earn their gray hairs.
Consolidation projects add their own wrinkle. When an agency moves several working labs into one building, scope often stretches past the shell into equipment moves and specialty commissioning. Those late packages are typically where specialty firms and suppliers find the most interesting work.
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