- Scott G Gilbert
$550 Million SLU Hospital in the Works
The future of the iconic Desloge Tower is in question as SLU and SSM announce their plans for a new hospital complex to the north... One thing for sure is that this will be good for the construction industry and for the surrounding neighborhoods - a great investment in the City and Midtown!
SSM Health’s master plan for its new academic medical center calls for a 316-bed, 802,000-square-foot replacement hospital and new outpatient care center for SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital adjacent to the current hospital. The price tag for the project is $550 million.
The project is being developed as a partnership between SSM Health and Saint Louis University.
The new complex will be located on the north side of the existing facility between Rutger and Lasalle streets, on Grand Avenue.
A goal of the project is to better integrate the hospital with neighboring Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, officials said. SSM Health continues to explore options for the current Desloge Tower, but no decisions have been made, according to a statement prepared by SSM.
“This plan shows our commitment to the City of St. Louis and to an improved patient experience that supports our mission to provide exceptional care,” saysKate Becker, SLU Hospital president. “We will not only provide world-class health care for patients throughout the Midwest, but also ensure they are treated in a more comfortable healing environment.”
The plans for the new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital call for all-private patient rooms, larger intensive care units and an expanded emergency department.
The new outpatient care center will expand outpatient surgery services and provide additional clinical space for SLUCare physician practices. The facility will have dedicated educational space to facilitate training of future physicians and health practitioners.
Alberici Constructors Inc. is the construction manager. Lawrence Group, in partnership with Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA) and Frank Zilm and Associates Inc., is the architect.
Alberici is expected to break ground in the fall of 2017 with an estimated completion date of Sept. 1, 2020.
Saint Louis University last year bought back the hospital from Dallas-based Tenet for about $32 million, and then contributed it to SSM Health. In exchange for the hospital, which SSM now owns and operates, the university received a minority financial interest and governance rights in SSM St. Louis.