Fairview Southdale Hospital Expansion Complete

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Fairview Health Services, the surrounding community and Knutson Construction recently celebrated the completion of the $41-million expansion and remodel of the Fairview Southdale Hospital. The project began in July 2013 and was scheduled for completion to coincide with the hospital’s 50th anniversary.

Located in Edina, Minnesota, construction of the new emergency center was highly visible to the daily commuters passing France Avenue on Highway 62. Designed by HGA Architects, the building features an eye-catching, exterior metal panel system finished in a color-changing coating. Depending on the angle of the sun and the viewer, the color seems to shift and shimmer. Accenting the façade, a descending arc flows from the second to the first floor. The arc is illuminated at night, serving as a beacon for those in need.

The 90,000-square-foot addition is the first major upgrade since 1985 for the emergency department. Four times larger than the previous facility, the ED grew from 15,000 square feet to 65,000, offering faster triage, more patient and observation rooms, and bigger rooms equipped for trauma, heart and stroke victims. The related support spaces include a new ambulance garage and power plant expansion to ensure this critical care facility can perform when needed most. The helipad was also relocated from the hospital’s front lawn to the roof of an adjacent building.

As the hospital’s services remain in constant demand, it continued to serve patients throughout construction. Knutson worked closely with the hospital’s staff and the entire building team. Groundbreaking occurred on Sept. 16, 2013, beginning the first step in a multi-phased, two-year process that spanned two harsh winters.

In addition to Knutson Construction and HGA Architects, the Fairview Southdale Hospital ED expansion and remodel project team included Walker & Associates and Dunham Engineering.

Photos courtesy of Paul Crosby.