Driving along Kingshighway in St. Louis these days, you’ll notice some new faces—building faces. The Campus Renewal Project is nearing completion of its first phase of renewing the medical center campus that encompasses Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. LouisChildren’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. The new buildings are scheduled to open for patient care in late summer 2017.
An aerial view showing the new women and infant care building, as well as the new St. Louis Children's Hospital newborn intensive care unit.
The 780,000-square-foot-expansion of new buildings and design will offer patients easier access to care in a quieter, more comfortable and efficient environment. The renovation and construction positions both hospitals on the campus to better meet future health care needs.
The first phase required Jewish Hospital School of Nursing, and the Kingshighway, Yalem and Steinberg buildings to come down. Because of those buildings’ ages and design, they couldn’t accommodate new medical technology.
A new building on Kingshighway south of Forest Park Avenue will expand Barnes-Jewish Hospital women and infants care areas, inpatient oncology units, surgical programs, and diagnostic and treatment areas. The expanded labor and delivery area will connect directly to St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s newborn intensive care unit (NICU) housed in another new building.
Many Minds Focused on the Mission
The planning process for the Campus Renewal Project focused on the mission of the medical campus: to take exceptional care of people.
“This project enhances our ability to provide the most advanced, patient-centered care, while honoring the rich history and heritage of the people who were instrumental in creating Barnes-Jewish Hospital,” says Bob Cannon, president, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and group president of BJC HealthCare.
A wide range of people have been involved in the planning. Former patients and their family members served on three different advisory councils, along with more than 350 physicians and clinical and non-clinical staff so no details were left behind. Color, light, sound, comfort, technology and efficiency—all focused on patients and families—have all been thoughtfully considered.
A Peek Inside
The new building will include private rooms with ample natural light to promote healing; most rooms look out over Forest Park, while others offer views of outdoor gardens. A family accommodations area is being created with computer stations, kitchenette, showers, lounge chairs for napping, and laundry facilities. Each floor also will have a patient-and-family gathering area, separate from waiting rooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Forest Park. A cafeteria with an outdoor seating area will be located on the main level.
A central theme of the renewal project is easier access. The front door of the hospital will be more welcoming with a circular drive off Parkview that features a covered canopy at the entrance. Visitors will now be able to park under the building and take an elevator from the parking garage directly to the lobby. Valet parking also has been enhanced.
Recycling was also a major focus of the new building construction. At least 90 percent of the building materials from the buildings taken down were recycled. In fact, bricks and concrete from the buildings taken down were ground up and used as a base for the concrete poured for the new building. “The old buildings quite literally serve as the solid foundation for our new building and our exciting future,” Bob Cannon says.
Recognizing Our History of Philanthropy
Philanthropy has played an important role in the hospital’s past and present, and will continue to be vital in the future. Because of this, past and current donors will be recognized in a prominent way in the new building and other spaces.
“We’re grateful to all those who have made a difference in our hospital through their giving,” Bob says. “Now we’re excited to show the community our progress later in 2017 as we offer even better ways to care for our patients and families.”
Help us improve our facilities and patient access to care by making a gift online, or by calling 314.286.0600.