Construction to expand BJC Institute of Health building to begin Feb. 2
Site preparation phase expected to last about 3 months
Ellen S. Clark Hope Plaza will be closed during construction on the Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health building on the Washington University Medical Campus. Until the plaza reopens in winter 2024, pedestrians will be routed to the plaza’s perimeter and will use a covered walkway to reach the front door of the building.
Construction on the six-floor expansion on top of the Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health building on the Washington University Medical Campus is scheduled to begin Feb. 2.
Employees working near the center of the Medical Campus will experience intermittent construction noise from about 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the week. Employees also may encounter temporary shutdowns in areas surrounding the building. Noise and shutdowns will be more common during the site preparation phase, which is expected to last at least three months. Occupants of the BJC Institute of Health building will receive more information about disruptions through department-level town hall meetings.
Ellen S. Clark Hope Plaza will be closed during construction. Until the plaza reopens in winter 2024, pedestrians will be routed to the plaza’s perimeter and will use a covered walkway to reach the front door of the BJC Institute of Health building. A portion of Wohl Circle Drive, which is in front of the Medical Campus’ Wohl Hospital Building, will be closed during construction and the balance of the circle will be restricted only to patient parking until spring 2024. Additionally, vehicular access to the plaza from Euclid and Parkview avenues will be closed during the building expansion project.
Although the construction will cause some inconveniences, the campus will remain fully operational during the project. Service at the Central West End MetroLink station will not be affected.
The expansion will house a 7,900-square-foot biosafety level 3 (BSL-3), or high-containment, laboratory to support research on infectious viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis. The building addition also will include a 5,100-square-foot Biologic Therapy Core Facility for cellular therapies to treat cancer; and 103,000 square feet of additional laboratory space.
See the Planning and Projects website for updated information as the project progresses.
