The Danforth Plant Science Center is adding another 79,000 square feet and eventually another 100 jobs.
The St. Louis research institute announced the $45 million dollar project Monday.
The center’s president, Dr. James Carrington, says the new space will be more flexible.
He says that that means cabinets and benches won’t be bolted down, giving room for new research that include automation and robotics.
"We expect the new building will be flexible enough to be able to adapt and accommodate new types of research, new technology," Carrington said.
The ground breaking is set for early next year, and the expansion is expected to be completed by end of 2015.
Carrington says the new positions will be added more slowly. He says the center will grow its endowment in order to cover hiring new scientists.
