Winstanley Enterprises' 500,000-square-foot New Haven lab tower at 101 College St. Image courtesy of Elkus Manfredi Architects

New Haven’s City Plan Commission has given its assent to a 500,00-square-foot biotech tower downtown meant to offer a home to the city’s growing life sciences industry.

The commission unanimously backed the project Wednesday night.

The $100 million building will rise over the Oak Street Connector, once intended to be the site of a freeway connecting downtown to Interstate 95.

The building will include community space open to city schools and an incubator space. Unlike its twin at 100 College St., the building will only have limited vehicle parking space – 117 spots in total – but will contain substantial bike parking. The project will also include a large public plaza shaded by trees.

The project next heads to the city’s Development Commission for a final sign-off. A development agreement with the city and the tower’s enabling zoning was approved earlier this year.