In the bustling Kensington neighbourhood of downtown Toronto, a significant transformation is underway. The University Health Network (UHN) has recently revealed plans for a substantial expansion of the Toronto Western Hospital located at 399 Bathurst Street. This ambitious project is set to redefine the Toronto skyline and significantly boost the city's healthcare capacity.
The primary component of this expansion is a 15-storey Patient Care Tower. The new tower, designed by architects at Dialog, may not be the centerpiece of future postcards, but it will certainly have a profound impact on the neighbourhood's skyline, rising to an impressive height of almost 82 meters. More importantly, the tower is expected to make substantial improvements to the capabilities of Toronto Western Hospital.
The project is being expedited thanks to a provincial Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) introduced last year, which overrides local planning policies to speed up the hospital's expansion. The MZO has enabled UHN to bypass zoning approval and proceed directly to the Site Plan Approval stage with the City of Toronto. This process marks one of the final stages before construction can begin.
The Ontario government is fully behind this expansion, supporting it through both planning approvals and significant funding. Last year, the province committed $38.8 million to UHN's expansion, with the majority ($34 million) designated for the new patient tower. This investment, as Christine Elliott, then-Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, proudly stated, will ensure that patients have access to enhanced surgical services and can access high-quality care for generations to come.
The new tower will feature:
- 20 new operating rooms
- Three cutting-edge image-guided operation rooms specially designed for complex neurosurgical and spinal procedures
- Pre-operative care unit
- Post-anesthetic care unit
- Medical device reprocessing department
- Pharmacy
- Enhanced mental health program
The construction project is set to take place on an existing surface parking lot and auditorium within the hospital grounds. The site, which spans approximately 3,425m², will also accommodate 84 vehicular parking spaces through two levels of underground parking.
Designed with the patient's experience in mind, the Patient Care Tower will host 66 new patient beds, an intensive care unit, and a state-of-the-art Medical Device Reprocessing Department. This design aims to streamline processes, increase capacity, and ultimately reduce wait times, addressing a significant challenge that Toronto has been grappling with.
Urban Toronto states that the tower's design also takes into consideration the need for public spaces. This includes a garden and a community room at ground level, fostering a stronger relationship with the public realm. The site's location allows for easy transit access, being adjacent to the 511 Bathurst and 505 Dundas streetcar lines, and less than 300m from the 506 Carlton streetcar line.
In addition to vehicular parking, plans include 32 long-term and 32 short-term bicycle parking spaces, aligning with the City of Toronto’s 2022-2024 Cycling Program, which includes investments in new contraflow bike lanes.
Funded by a $34 million planning grant from the Government of Ontario and donations from the UHN Foundation, the Patient Care Tower is set to be completed by 2027. This expansion signifies a monumental step towards a future of enhanced health and innovation. As the tower rises, so too will Toronto's reputation as a leader in healthcare, setting the stage for a healthier, more vibrant city.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - UHN Toronto Western Hospital New Patient Tower Design Team Services (0002071621)
