Stanford Health Care Holds ‘Topping Off’ Ceremony for New Palo Alto Hospital

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Stanford Health Care recently celebrated a major milestone in the construction of the new Stanford Hospital with the ceremonial ‘topping off’ of the steel structure. Construction workers, employees, physicians, community members, elected officials and donors gathered to sign the steel beam before it was hoisted atop the new hospital building.

Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects and medical planners Lee, Burkhart, Liu, the innovative hospital design is based on a philosophy of patient-centered care. The facility will feature individual patient rooms with large windows that provide extensive natural light – proven to speed the healing process – and ample space for family members to gather and even spend the night. At the heart of the hospital will be a garden level that provides a quiet retreat for patients and families. The facility also incorporates the latest in green technology to reduce the hospital’s environmental impact.

The 30-foot long, 3,400 pound ceremonial beam was placed outside of the entrance to Stanford Hospital the week before the event. Thousands of people, including patients, physicians, visitors, employees and community members, signed the beam and left their mark on history.

Construction of the $2-billion hospital building, led by joint venture general contractor Clark/McCarthy, is part of the Stanford University Medical Center Renewal Project, which will bring facilities to new seismic safety standards and support the overall growth of the medical center. Once completed, the new Stanford Hospital facility will add 824,000 square feet to the existing hospital, modernize and replace existing services and expand intensive care and emergency services. Construction is expected to be completed in 2017 and the new hospital will open its doors to patients in early 2018.

Photos courtesy of Business Wire.