Georgia State University is set to debut the latest addition to its growing urban campus soon as part of a years-long push to become more vibrant, walkable, and generally college-like. 

GSU has scheduled a Sept. 22 ribbon-cutting downtown for its new $100-million Research Tower near the corner of Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue, next to the existing Petit Science Center and Research Science Center buildings. 

The nine-story, multifaceted facility filled a gap along Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, just north of MARTA’s Georgia State transit station. 

State and university officials expected to attend the unveiling next week at 153 Decatur St. SE include Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and GSU president M. Brian Blake. 

The 155,000-square-foot Research Tower—opened in time for the fall semester this year—was designed to “support cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative teaching” at the university's downtown campus, per GSU officials. 

The GSU Research Tower's finished facade near the corner of Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue downtown. Georgia State University

As seen in summer 2024, prior to groundbreaking, the Research Tower's site on Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, with the nearby MARTA station at left. Google Maps

In addition to classrooms, the project includes a large lecture space and teaching labs on the first two floors. 

Middle floors will house research space for faculty, including researchers from the university’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences, while upper floors are being set up now for future expansions, per GSU officials. 

The project continues GSU’s investments in research, which have totaled more than $2 billion over the past decade, increasing demand for modernized research facilities. 

“The Research Tower is more than a new building. It is a launchpad for discovery,” said Blake, the university president, in an announcement. “By investing in this facility, we’re strengthening the path forward for our students, our research, and our state. We’re excited to see the progress this space will unlock.”

The Research Tower (at left) when under construction next to the Petit Science Center and Research Science Center. Georgia State University

GSU officials pointed to a University System of Georgia study, released Aug. 13, that found GSU generated $3.48 billion in economic impact in fiscal year 2025—more than an 8 percent increase over the previous year. 

The new facility, per university officials, will “help sustain that momentum by supporting further research activity, workforce development, and innovation.”

Find more context and images in the gallery above. 

The nine-story project's 153 Decatur St. SE location in downtown Atlanta. Google Maps

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