MIAMI—The Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science is one of the largest and most iconic structures now underway in Miami—and Skanska USA just signed a $101 million contract to build it. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the museum spans 250,000 square feet.

“Skanska is committed to delivering a museum that will serve as the capstone of Downtown Miami's cultural hub,” says Fred Hames, executive vice president and general manager at Skanska USA Building in Florida. “We have assembled an experienced team bring to life its complex design and innovative features.”

When construction is complete in 2016, the museum is projected to attract more than 600,000 visitors to Downtown Miami each year. The museum is located within the new Museum Park complex, adjacent to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, overlooking Biscayne Bay and PortMiami.

“We have been working with Skanska for seven months, and we're pleased with the progress,” says Gillian Thomas, the museum's president and CEO. “While we still have work to do with the building and exhibitions, our new facility is quickly advancing in the heart of downtown Miami. We can now begin to envision our completion and the impact this museum will have on the region.”

Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science's highlights include a planetarium, a 500,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, a five-story Innovation Center and café, a sustainable roof with a hydroponic garden, and numerous exhibition galleries. The project will pursue LEED Platinum certification. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers.

Skanska is also working on a project in Orlando. A public private partnership between the State of Florida and Skanska is working on the biggest P3 partnership in the United States. You can read my exclusive interview with Hames here.

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