GlaxoSmithKline has decided to consolidate its global drug research and discovery operations into two big hubs with one of them in Upper Providence Township, writes Linda Loyd for Philly.com.

The company, which already employs 5,000 people in the Philadelphia area, is planning to spend close to $250 million on the construction of four floors of new “smart” labs.

Scientists who are currently working at other GSK locations in Upper Merion and Research Triangle Park will transfer to the Upper Providence facility. The number of employees there is expected to double to nearly 3,200 over the next year and a half.

The new areas are going to be mostly open-plan so that the scientists can share their resources. GSK hopes this will increase collaboration and conversation to help bring new medicines to patients more quickly and efficiently.

“We’re not building new buildings, but we are very substantially renovating the buildings that we have,” said John Lepore, senior vice president for the R&D pipeline. “Gutting and redoing them with the most modern labs probably in the industry.”

Read more about the new R&D hub at Philly.com by clicking here.