Project category: New construction (completed June 2012)

Chief administrator: Robert McKenna, AIA, Administrator, New Hospital Development, (312) 440-5302

Firms: ZGF Architects LLP, (213) 617-1901; Solomon Cordwell Buenz, (312) 896-1100; Anderson Mikos Architects, (630) 573-5149

Design team: Ted Hyman, FAIA, Architect (ZGF Architects LLP); Martin Wolf, FAIA, Architect (Solomon Cordwell Buenz); Robert Schaefer, AIA, Architect (Anderson Mikos Architects); Greg Quinn, Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineers (Affiliated Engineers, Inc.); John Hooper, PE, SE, Structural Engineer (Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Inc.); Mikyoung Kim, Landscape Artist (Mikyoung Kim Design)

Photography: Nick Merrick © Hedrich Blessing; Pete Eckert © Eckert & Eckert

Total building area (sq. ft.): 1,255,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $482

Total construction cost (excluding land): $605,000,000

The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago demonstrates a unique approach to high-rise hospital design. The decision to move to the densely urban neighborhood of Streeterville in downtown Chicago acknowledged a vision to leverage opportunities for collaboration in patient care, teaching, and research with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. This location, however, offered some distinct design challenges. With a program area of 1.25 million square feet, on a site area of 1.8 acres, the hospital required a creative approach to the building stack.  The results include a number of unique features, among them a second floor Emergency Department, an 11th floor sky lobby and sky garden, and public amenities on the 11th and 12th floors. The new building, which is connected by bridges to the Prentice Women’s Hospital, integrates inpatient and ambulatory care, diagnostic and treatment spaces, and clinical support.

Private patient rooms can accommodate family members overnight, with a sleeper sofa, reclining chair, TV and internet access. Each patient room has large windows that allow abundant natural light into the room and provide views of Lake Michigan and the City of Chicago. 

More than 20 of Chicago’s esteemed cultural institutions, in partnership with the hospital and design team, have contributed their time and talents to help make the hospital an engaging and healing environment. Each of the hospital’s 23 floors features special, child-friendly designs with unique art and interactive exhibits that celebrate the spirit of Chicago.