Case Study: John Hopkins Health System - Research Facility Relocations
Location:
- Cancer Research Building 1: 280,000 sq. ft.
- Cancer Research Building 2: 280,000 sq. ft.
- Edward D. Miller Research Building: 300,000 sq. ft.
Project Overview:
Over the span of more than a decade, Hoffberger Moving Systems (HMS) was entrusted with the multi-phase relocation of critical research departments into three state-of-the-art facilities on the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus. The relocations encompassed hundreds of thousands of square feet across the Cancer Research Buildings and the Edward D. Miller Research Building. This long-term partnership reflects HMS’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality service in highly complex, secure, and research-intensive environments.
Scope of Work:
- Full-scale relocation of offices, labs, and research materials
- Strategic planning and route analysis to minimize disruption in active research environments
- Coordination with Johns Hopkins Health System to align with long-range construction and occupancy timelines
- Night and off-peak scheduling to avoid disruption in high-traffic pedestrian and patient areas
- Use of interconnected pedestrian tunnels and bridges to streamline material movement and reduce dock congestion
Execution & Strategy:
To ensure uninterrupted workflow and maintain campus safety protocols, HMS conducted most move activities in the evenings and overnight hours. The team spent extensive time mapping pedestrian traffic patterns and identifying the most efficient internal pathways—often pushing materials through underground tunnels and skybridges instead of relying solely on truck transport.
Flexibility was key to the project’s success. HMS continually shifted crews, trucks, and equipment between buildings to maintain smooth operations across multiple concurrent relocations. Each phase required 20–25 personnel, including a core team of 6+ long-tenured project leads, many of whom have 13–25 years of experience with HMS and a deep familiarity with Johns Hopkins protocols.
Outcome:
Through careful coordination, after-hours scheduling, and experienced team leadership, HMS successfully executed every planned relocation into Johns Hopkins’ research facilities over a 12-year period—on time, without major disruption, and fully aligned with the institution’s operational goals. This longstanding partnership demonstrates HMS’s reliability, adaptability, and unmatched experience in healthcare and research campus relocations.