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Construction will start this summer on remaking a former window plant on Goose Island into a futuristic facility that backers consider key to pushing manufacturing forward in the region and the country.

Officials said Tuesday they have signed a lease and finalized renderings for 94,000 square feet of space in the former Republic Windows and Doors facility, which is owned by candy giant Mars. The Digital Lab for Manufacturing is expected to open in early 2015.

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A rendering of the site for the Digital Lab for Manufacturing located at 1333 N. Hickory Ave., on Goose Island in Chicago.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP/Handout

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