The University of Chicago Medicine is building a new cancer hospital on the South Side of Chicago. Thanks to a $75 million donation from the AbbVie Foundation, this new project will bring top-quality cancer care to the local community. Here’s a look at the details and why this project matters for the commercial construction field.
The AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion will be a 575,000-square-foot cancer care hospital. It will be located on East 57th Street, between South Maryland and South Drexel Avenues. The construction cost is estimated at $815 million, and the hospital is set to open in 2027. This new facility aims to improve healthcare access for South Side residents, many of whom face high cancer rates.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the $75 million donation from the AbbVie Foundation is one of the biggest gifts ever received by UChicago Medicine. The donation shows the strong partnership between UChicago Medicine and the AbbVie Foundation, a nonprofit group focused on improving health equity.
“We’re really excited and proud to have the opportunity to support University of Chicago Medicine and the South Side community in this way. The opportunity to increase access to preventive and complex cancer care to patients in the South Side community, and more broadly, is something that we really are looking forward to.”
President of the AbbVie Foundation | Claudia Carravetta
The AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion will be a state-of-the-art hospital with many features for cancer patients, including:
80 Inpatient Beds: For patients who need to stay overnight for treatment or observation.
90 Consultation and Exam Rooms: Spaces for doctors to meet with patients and provide care.
Urgent Care Clinic for Cancer Patients: For patients needing immediate care during their treatment.
Imaging Equipment: Advanced machines to help diagnose and plan treatments.
Clinical Trial Space: Facilities to conduct clinical trials, focusing on increasing access for underserved communities.
Flexible Space for Future Needs: Areas that can be adapted for future expansion.
Support Services for Families: Spaces for patients and their families to gather during treatment.
The new cancer hospital aims to address the high cancer death rates on Chicago's South Side. In neighborhoods like Calumet Heights, East Side, Kenwood, South Deering, and Woodlawn, cancer death rates are nearly twice the national average. The pavilion will provide high-quality, culturally competent care close to home.
Dr. Kunle Odunsi, director of the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, said the donation will help advance health equity and increase access to care. The pavilion will also bring together researchers, scientists, and doctors, helping them work more closely and make medical breakthroughs faster.
The goal is to give patients all their cancer care in one place, so they don’t need to travel to multiple locations for tests and treatments. This will also help free up beds at UChicago Medicine's main hospital for patients with other needs.
When first announced in 2022, the project was expected to cost $633 million and have 128 inpatient beds. Rising construction costs due to hyperinflation and design changes increased the budget to $815 million and reduced the number of beds to 80.
For those in the commercial construction field, this project presents several interesting aspects:
Size and Scope: The cancer pavilion will be 575,000 square feet and is designed as a freestanding facility. With a cost of $815 million, this project highlights the large investments needed for healthcare infrastructure, especially in areas with health disparities.
Adaptable Design: The building is designed for future expansion. This flexibility is key for healthcare facilities that need to adapt to new technologies and changing healthcare needs.
Community Integration: Located in Hyde Park, the project focuses on both healthcare and community well-being. Engaging the local community and ensuring that the building meets local needs is becoming more important for urban projects.
Economic Challenges: The increased cost of the project, due to hyperinflation and design changes, shows the challenges facing the construction industry today. Despite these issues, the $75 million donation from the AbbVie Foundation shows how partnerships can help get important projects off the ground.
The AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion at UChicago Medicine is a major step forward in addressing healthcare disparities in Chicago's South Side. This 575,000-square-foot facility is more than just a cancer hospital—it’s a place where the community can get quality care, where experts can collaborate, and where real progress can be made in health equity. The partnership between UChicago Medicine and the AbbVie Foundation is setting a new standard for healthcare construction by combining modern design with a focus on community well-being.
This project is an example of how healthcare facilities are evolving to meet community needs. Projects like this, which bring together technology, community engagement, and adaptable design, are shaping the future of healthcare construction. When the new cancer hospital opens in 2027, it will be a beacon of hope and progress for both Chicago's South Side and cancer patients from all over the region.