By the early 1980s, McClintock Laboratory had become the home of world-class cell biology research and the newly established "2-D gel" facility. The original Animal House had become a Laboratory landmark, and in keeping with the CSHL tradition of preserving the character and feel of the historic campus, the decision was made to renovate the building to provide more space rather than tear the building down. A major upward expansion of the building was planned to free up the existing floors for modern cancer and gene sequencing laboratory.