Northwestern Medicine's Plan for New Hospital Towers

Northwestern Medicine has unveiled its preliminary plan for a major hospital expansion at 327 E. Huron in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. This new 1.2 million-square-foot tower will replace the long-vacant site of the former Lakeside Veterans Affairs Hospital, which was demolished in 2009. The project aims to address growing demand for specialized inpatient care, particularly in oncology, while creating new opportunities for construction professionals and skilled trades.

With Perkins&Will leading the architectural design, the tower will rise to a height comparable to the nearby Lavin Pavilion at 385 feet, and construction is projected to begin in 2027.

Purpose and Capacity

Northwestern Medicine reports it has the highest utilization among top hospitals in the market, along with the largest share of high-acuity care in the region. The new tower will provide additional space to alleviate overcrowding and inefficiencies, consolidating most oncology services into one centralized facility for the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center. Other specialties — including cardiology, neurology, and transplant care — will also be accommodated.

Key Construction Features

• Size: 1.2 million square feet of hospital space

• Height: Comparable to 385 feet (Lavin Pavilion)

• Beds: 226–314 inpatient beds (including 278 medical-surgical beds and 36 intensive care beds)

• Operating Rooms: 5 new ORs

• Medical Suites: Imaging, ambulatory clinics, infusion clinics, lab and pharmacy spaces

• Support Areas: Administrative, mechanical, and shell space for future expansion

• Podium and Tower Design: Podium for imaging, surgery, and related uses; tower for inpatient beds and clinics

• Public Space: Small public plaza at N. Fairbanks Ct and E. Erie St

• Ground Floor Retail: To enhance community integration and access

• Future Development Zone: Eastern third of site reserved for future phases

Design and Engineering Goals

Tall & Urban News reports that the building’s design emphasizes adaptability to future medical technologies, with flexible layouts to accommodate changing care requirements. Massing has been shaped to maximize views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline while setting back from the property line for pedestrian comfort. The podium will support the heavy-load functions of surgical suites and imaging, while the tower will house patient-focused spaces.

Anticipated Trades and Workforce Needs

The scale and complexity of this hospital tower will require a wide range of skilled trades and construction professionals:

• Structural Trades: Steelworkers, concrete formwork crews, rebar installers

• Envelope Specialists: Curtain wall installers, glaziers, façade cladding experts

• Mechanical Trades: HVAC technicians, plumbers, medical gas installers

• Electrical Trades: High-voltage electricians, low-voltage/data cabling installers, lighting specialists

• Interior Trades: Drywall installers, painters, flooring specialists, ceiling grid installers

• Medical Infrastructure Specialists: Equipment riggers, sterile environment fit-out teams

• Site and Civil Crews: Excavators, crane operators, paving and grading teams

• Specialty Contractors: Elevator installers, automated building system technicians

Community and Workforce Impact

Beyond the direct construction jobs, the project is expected to create ongoing employment opportunities in facility maintenance, operations, and medical support services. With its location in the heart of Chicago’s medical district, the tower will serve as a major draw for both healthcare professionals and the skilled trades that support such an advanced facility.

Project Timeline

• 2027: Anticipated start of construction

• 2031: Targeted opening date

• Ongoing: Public hearings and regulatory approvals, including the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board process

Investment and Next Steps

Northwestern has already submitted a $56 million request for design costs, with full construction budgets to be confirmed in later applications. A public hearing on the design application is scheduled for September 25, and the hospital aims to keep the community informed as planning progresses.

This tower represents one of the most significant healthcare construction projects in Chicago in the coming decade, offering opportunities not just for the skilled trades but also for architects, engineers, and suppliers who will help bring the vision to life.

DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Expansion Tower Development - Chicago  (0046071425)