World stem cell research center opens
in San Francisco

Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

From the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

November 2, 2005

The permanent headquarters of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) opened its doors for the first time yesterday in San Francisco. City Mayor Gavin Newsom and ICOC Chairman Bob Klein cut the ribbon to 210 King Street this morning and toured the remodeled 20,000 square-foot facility.

ICOC Chairman Robert Klein and Mayor Gavin Newsom

"We are deeply indebted to the generosity of the philanthropists and local businesses who took extraordinary measures to bring California's stem cell agency home to San Francisco," said Mayor Newsom.

"Their dedication is a tribute our city's unwavering commitment to innovation as scientists search for new methods to treat the world's most challenging diseases and injuries. From an initial conversation this spring to seeing a beautiful new headquarters now, this is a proud moment for the leaders and people of San Francisco."

"In the history of California, this marks the first time a city and its civic leadership have come together to provide ten years of free rent to attract a new state agency headquarters," said Klein.

"This will serve to bring together the collaboration of more than twelve countries who participate with California in the leadership of the stem cell medical research frontier because of the paralysis in Washington, D.C. California is once again leading on a frontier and the Bay Area is at the center of that movement."

As part of a bidding process to determine the location of its permanent headquarters, CIRM asked local governments, working in partnership with building owners, to provide approximately 17,000 square feet of office space at little or no cost. San Francisco was selected as the permanent headquarters by the ICOC on the May 6 meeting in Fresno.
The city's package included free hotel and conference facilities, with architectural design donated by Gensler, construction provided by Hathaway Dinwiddie, and office furniture provided at a deep discount by Haworth.

CIRM was established in 2004 with the passage of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. The institute is responsible for disbursing $3 billion in State funds for stem cell research to California universities and research institutions over the next ten years and is overseen and governed by the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC).

Bob Klein and Consul General of Canada, Marc Lepage

CIRM board member Jeff Sheehy, left, with Newsom,
Klein, and fellow CRIM board member Michael Goldberg

For more information, visit www.cirm.ca.gov.

Related background stories, click here.

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