CIC Philadelphia, uCity Square, Philadelphia, PA

Wexford was able to showcase their advancement with innovation and entrepreneurship through their uCity (Philadelphia, PA) project. They created a series of small labs and entrepreneurial hang-out spaces that amplified the Science Center’s start-up services, seed funds, and programming, and provided a place for start-ups to locate.

The Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) works with local partners to develop the critical networks that entrepreneurs need to grow effectively. For almost two decades, CIC have focused on strengthening vibrant communities, building collaborative work environments, and creating impactful programming to attract and support the very best entrepreneurs and their teams. CIC fosters innovation districts to help build and strengthen the local innovation ecosystem.

Boeing, Cortex Innovation Community, St. Louis, MO

Wexford has been able to attract a number of corporate innovation centers including; Boeing, Microsoft, Centene Corporation, Square, Nestle Purina, General Dynamics and Bayer, among others. Boeing and Microsoft have grown from small centers to major building anchors. In addition, we were able to attract Associated British Foods to locate their North American headquarters in Cortex (St. Louis, MO). Their activity at Cortex has also become a catalyst for over $700 million in follow-on development activities surrounding Cortex that has benefited the local community, the city and the region.

BCCC, University of Maryland BioPark, Baltimore, MD

Wexford believes that innovation districts can create economic inclusion and social responsibility. At the UMB BioPark (Baltimore, MD) Wexford’s efforts with the University of Maryland Baltimore contribute to building community capacity and providing a sustainable pathway for the community to training and participation in well-paying, middle-skilled jobs in the BioPark. They approach innovation districts not as a series of buildings, but as a porous, diverse, inclusive knowledge community that creates inclusive public spaces and an engaging pedestrian experience which can unify all of the elements of a live, work, play, learn environment.

Bailey Park, Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, Winston-Salem, NC

In Winston-Salem, NC Wexford worked with Wake Forest University to develop the Innovation Quarter around Bailey Park, which not only ties together over 1.2 million square feet of historic redevelopment, but also acts as the surrounding community’s front yard; hosting dozens of events each month including, community yoga, movies at midnight, farmer’s markets, concerts and one of only two major road cycling races held in the United States. Wexford ensures that conferencing and convening spaces throughout the district are accessible to a variety of community groups and uses. Finally, Wexford contributed funding to extend the local rails-to-trails bike/pedestrian path through Innovation Quarter as well as create a series of bioswales and greenspaces connecting the CIC Philadelphia, uCity Square, Boeing, Cortex Innovation BCCC, and University of Maryland district into the larger greenway.