Western Michigan University Acquires Newell Brands Design Center for $6M, Displacing Faraday Defense's Plans
Western Michigan University is purchasing the Newell Brands Design Center for $6 million, overriding Faraday Defense's plans to build a laboratory in partnership with NASA. The decision was made during a board meeting on March 10, 2026, after WMU exercised its right of first refusal. Faraday Defense, which had been negotiating to acquire the property since summer 2025, must now seek an alternative location. WMU intends to use the facility for its design team and to support its soccer program.
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Western Michigan University (WMU) is set to acquire the Newell Brands Design Center at 3300 Research Way for $6 million, superseding Faraday Defense's plans for a laboratory project with NASA. WMU's Board of Trustees authorized the purchase on March 10, 2026, after learning Newell intended to sell to Faraday.
Newell, which had previously purchased the property from Southwest Michigan First for $3.8 million, will relocate its design operations to Atlanta. Faraday Defense's plans to close on the property on March 15 are now disrupted, and WMU aims to use the facility for its design team and to support its soccer program. The acquisition will facilitate the demolition of WMU's aging Physical Plant.
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