Bennett & Pless provided structural engineering services for Eli Lilly and Company’s Concord campus, a 1.2 million SF life sciences facility spanning 400 acres and comprising 10 interconnected buildings. The campus supports parenteral manufacturing, device assembly and packaging, logistics, warehousing, QA/QC laboratories, administration, and a central utility plant.
The project was delivered using a cold dark shell strategy, allowing early completion of the structural frame and building enclosure. This approach enabled interior fit-out and equipment installation to begin sooner, helping accelerate overall project delivery for a complex, large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing campus.
Our team led the structural design for the core and shell and remained engaged through multiple fit-out phases. Working closely with contractors and trade partners, we provided structural modifications and coordination to support process systems, equipment, and operational requirements across the campus.
Fit-out scope included the design and integration of pipe supports, equipment pads, access platforms, and structural framing to accommodate specialized manufacturing and packaging systems. We supported heavy rooftop and overhead systems, reinforced elevated slabs for equipment and robotics, and designed foundations and infrastructure for both interior and exterior process components. Coordination of wall penetrations, utility routing, and equipment access was critical to maintaining schedule and constructability across multiple buildings.
Building-specific work included:
- Structural support systems for parenteral manufacturing, including process equipment, vacuum systems, and exterior compactor infrastructure
- Reinforcement of roof and floor systems to support conveyors, cable trays, ductwork, and electrical distribution for device assembly operations
- Structural coordination for robotic systems and pallet lift equipment to support packaging
- Design of specialized slab conditions for stability chambers and high-density storage within the Admin/Lab facility
- Integration of pipe chases and wall-mounted systems along the connecting spine, and new access points within the warehouse
Through design-build partnerships and close coordination with vendors, our team helped integrate complex process requirements into the structural systems while maintaining flexibility for evolving equipment layouts.
The Eli Lilly Concord project was recognized as the 2026 ISPE Facility of the Year Awards Category Winner for Operations – Project Execution, highlighting the success of its delivery strategy and execution. Bennett & Pless is proud to have contributed to a project that demonstrates how early structural completion, integrated delivery, and collaborative design can support speed to market in the life sciences industry.