McCarthy Leads Design-Build Team for Barnes-Jewish Hospital

McCarthy has been selected to lead the design-build team overseeing the design and construction of a new 16-story inpatient hospital tower at Barnes-Jewish Hospital on Kingshighway at Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza in St. Louis.  The new inpatient tower is an important component of BJC’s Campus Renewal, a long-term vision to transform the Washington University Medical Campus (WUMC) through new construction and renovations with an overall focus on improving the patient and family experience at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

In addition to McCarthy, design-build team members recognized as leaders in the health care design and construction industry regionally and nationally include CannonDesign (architecture), BR+A (consulting engineer), Thornton Tomasetti (structural engineering) and Castle Contracting (civil engineering). Landscape design is provided by DTLS.

The design-build team’s integrated project delivery capabilities and progressive approach to the delivery of design and construction reinforces BJC’s commitment to serve as a national model among healthcare organizations.

“We are thrilled to partner with BJC HealthCare in implementing an innovative design-build model to deliver a state-of-the-art facility for patient and family-centered care,” said Mike Stapf, vice president, design integration at McCarthy. “Our expert team combines national healthcare leadership with a deep St. Louis commitment and a solid understanding of the goals and values of BJC HealthCare.”

In addition to McCarthy, design-build team members recognized as leaders in the health care design and construction industry regionally and nationally include CannonDesign (architecture), BR+A (consulting engineer), Thornton Tomasetti (structural engineering) and Castle Contracting (civil engineering). Landscape design is provided by DTLS.

The innovative new 660,000-square-foot tower will feature private rooms for heart and vascular patients, state-of-the-art imaging, and the latest in surgical preparation and recovery, designed to advance care and enhance the experience for patients and their families.

Plans include 224 private inpatient rooms (32 rooms on seven floors) and 56 private intensive care unit (ICU) rooms (28 rooms on two floors), many with expansive views of Forest Park. Two rooftop gardens will provide patients, families and staff with access to fresh air and respite, and a spacious family lounge will bring new amenities to the south end of the hospital campus, including a business center, kitchenette, quiet rooms and laundry facilities.

In addition, an expansive surgical prep and recovery program will occupy two floors and two additional floors will feature a modern imaging center. An expanded dietary program will streamline meal preparation for on-demand patient dining, and visitors, staff and physicians will enjoy a spacious and bright cafeteria.

Significant improvements along Barnes-Jewish Plaza also are designed to simplify and enhance arrival and wayfinding. A new elevated pedestrian walkway will lead from parking to a redesigned and expanded lobby, gift shop and coffee bar. A widened street and reconfigured drop off and valet space will offer a more intuitive and inviting entrance.

The new tower will replace Queeny Tower, an 16-story structure that housed inpatient rooms and physician practices, which was vacated in 2019 in anticipation of its demolition and replacement. McCarthy managed construction of the original building in the early 1960s and has completed more than 20 other construction projects on campus.  Structural demolition of Queeny Tower was completed in September 2021 Construction will begin fall 2021 and is estimated to be completed in December 2024. The building will open for patient care fourth quarter 2025.

About BJC HealthCare

BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, and is focused on delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. With net revenues of $5.3 billion, BJC serves the health care needs of urban, suburban and rural communities and includes 15 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice. BJC’s academic medical centers – Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s Hospitals ­– are affiliated with the renowned Washington University School of Medicine.

About McCarthy Building Companies

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 150 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that spans all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer, McCarthy is ranked the 13th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2021). With approximately 6,000 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Dallas, Houston; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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