Transforming a tired 3M facility into a cutting-edge biosafety lab is no easy feat — especially when half the building needs to stay operational the entire time. But that’s exactly what Ancoats LLC pulled off with the $9 million, 40,000-square-foot renovation for Neogen, a global leader in food and animal safety.
“This was an incredibly complex, multi-phase project,” said Nate Weingart, project lead at Ancoats. “We were gutting and rebuilding high-tech lab spaces while office staff and active labs were still working right down the hall.”
Partnering with HGA, the project team converted dated offices and warehouse zones into state-of-the-art BSL-1 and BSL-2 labs, R&D suites, and corporate headquarters — complete with high-performance HVAC, autoclave piping, and lab-grade mechanical systems. Existing rooftop units were swapped for energy-efficient RTUs with ECM fans and sleek architectural screening, improving both performance and the building’s appearance along a busy Oakdale corridor.
But the real triumph? Achieving all of this with zero downtime.
“It took detailed phasing, round-the-clock coordination, and a lot of trust between us and Neogen,” said Weingart. Off-hours work, zone isolation, and real-time communication helped maintain biosafety compliance while minimizing disruption to mission-critical research.
The project’s innovation extended to safety as well. QR-code-based systems gave workers immediate access to Safety Data Sheets and hazard protocols, keeping teams aligned and labs protected at every phase.
Neogen’s new home also reflects a strong environmental ethic. Reusing the existing structure avoided new construction emissions. Inside, low-VOC finishes, LED lighting, low-flow plumbing, and variable-flow heating systems support long-term energy efficiency.
Now fully operational, the upgraded facility reinforces Oakdale’s emergence as a life sciences hub. It supports high-paying jobs, scientific advancement, and public health efforts worldwide — while showing how thoughtful design and teamwork can make a complex transformation look seamless.
Neogen’s move is also a win for the city. The highly visible facility — just off a main county road — signals economic growth and cements Oakdale’s identity as an emerging life sciences hub.
The project turned something old and inefficient into something that works beautifully — and fast. Weingart add “It’s the kind of project we love: complex, collaborative, and full of future potential.”
Neogen Oakdale
Address: 6744 33rd St. N., Oakdale
Project Size: 40,000 square feet
Owner: Neogen
Contractor: Ancoats LLC
Architect: HGA Architects & Engineers
Interior Designer: HGA Architects & Engineers
Engineer: MMC (mechanical)