Ground was broken recently for the UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Tower, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The tower is being designed for the many patients in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania region and beyond who need physical rehabilitation and those who have diseases of the eye or vision impairment.
Highlights of the new nine-story tower will include:
- 410,000 square feet of collaborative space for clinicians, researchers, educators and industry partners
- Advanced facility to deliver gene and cell therapy to the eye
- Innovative, fully mocked-up apartment where patients can relearn critical life skills
- 3D street lab with simulated city streets, offices and meeting rooms to help patients with low vision navigate their surroundings
Other areas in the building will include exam rooms, an optical shop, a pharmacy, therapy stations and a UPMC Center for Rehab Services gym. Training ramps and stairs in a healing garden on the roof terrace will offer patients a safe environment in which to prepare for real-life experiences.
The UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Tower is one of three facilities being built as part of UPMC’s $2-billion investment in specialty care.
Architecture firm HOK designed the new tower, which will be built by Mascaro-Barton Malow. The tower is expected to open in late 2022.
Photo source: www.upmc.com.
