Image courtesy of Elkus Manfredi Architects

Owners of the former Boston Globe headquarters are betting on future demand for life science space in Dorchester, proposing a new lab wing in the next phase of the Southline redevelopment.

Beacon Capital Partners proposes the 6-story, 305,000-square-foot lab wing, which would connect to the existing 135 Morrissey Blvd. building with an elevated pedestrian walkway.

Rising demand for life science and creative office space since the redevelopment began in 2018 prompted the project team to pursue the expansion, according to a notice of project change submitted this week to the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

Developers plan to partner with industry group MassBio on a 3,000-square-foot jobs training center for Boston residents to obtain certificates as life science technicians. The portion of the project would be paid with Beacon Capital’s jobs linkage payment.

The Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association supports the proposal, which was revised this year by developers following community meetings. Developers hope to break ground in late 2024 and complete the addition by the end of 2026.

Developers are building out a core-and-shell redevelopment of the former newsroom, business offices and printing plant into 695,000 square feet of mixed commercial space and a food hall. The project was previously branded at The BEAT.

The proposal includes 417 spaces of underground parking, replacing 173 surface spaces. Developers estimated the fully-developed site could accommodate 800 permanent jobs.

A report released last week by brokerage Colliers predicts stagnant short-term conditions in the Greater Boston lab market, amid a decline in IPOs and venture capital funding.

After 2.3 million square feet of positive absorption in 2022, rents and demand in the region’s lab market are expected to remain flat in the next 12 months, Colliers forecasts.