South San Francisco to Review Plans for Genentech gRED Life Science Center

The South San Francisco Planning Commission is set to review initial development plans for Genentech's major campus redevelopment in San Mateo County. Dubbed the Genentech Early Research and Development Center, or gRED Center, the project represents a major physical expansion within the city's East Side life science cluster.

Designed collaboratively by CannonDesign and Foster + Partners, the master plan spans 26.6 acres of Genentech's larger 206-acre corporate property. The proposal calls for seven structures in total, encompassing six interconnected life science and commercial office buildings totaling approximately 1.25 million square feet, alongside a seven-story parking garage equipped to accommodate 1,800 vehicles. The office designs incorporate floor-to-ceiling glazing, glass fiber-reinforced concrete panels, and metal awnings arranged around an open-air central courtyard garden.

Genentech anticipates a multi-year phased construction timeline running from 2027 through 2033. For commercial real estate developers and regional life science stakeholders, the extensive project highlights enduring institutional demand for specialized R&D space and reinforces South San Francisco's standing as a premier biotech submarket.