Major building expansion will nearly double the size of
Children's Hospital
To continue to fulfill its mission as a leader in patient care, research and teaching, Children's Hospital is undergoing one of the largest and most ambitious healthcare expansion projects in the nation. When complete, the $1.1 billion, 1.2-million-square-foot expansion will nearly double the size of the Hospital's main campus in the University City section of Philadelphia. The project began in 2000 and is expected to be completed by 2010.

Patient growth rate triggers expansion
The expansion is the result of a 25 percent growth in inpatient volume and emergency department visits over the past five years. In fiscal year 2004, Children's Hospital had 72,000 Emergency Department visits, 23,000 inpatient visits and nearly one million ambulatory visits.

Abramson Center laboratory space increased
In February 2003, the Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Pediatric Research Center was expanded, providing 25 percent additional laboratory space for Children's Hospital's basic research program. In addition, a Clinical Research Center was developed to accommodate the special needs of clinical research investigators. The Stokes Research Institute, which administers Children's Hospital's research function, received approximately $97.4 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2006.

South Tower Inpatient Wing constructed
The South Tower Inpatient Wing, which opened in October 2003, was built in response to exponential growth in patient volume and demand for Children's Hospital's services. The South Tower offers state-of-the-art facilities for children and families including private rooms, playrooms for children and teens, and family lounges.

With the South Tower, Children's Hospital expanded the institution's capacity to 430 beds, including 146 private patient rooms designed with the input of hospital patients, families and medical staff.

The South Tower also increased the size of the Emergency Department by adding additional examination and trauma rooms and expanding the emergency transport department. Completed in 2006, the Emergency Department has 75 rooms. An additional 1,900-space parking garage, built during the first phase of the project, is shared with the University of Pennsylvania.

West Tower and other building under way
A new West Tower Inpatient and Diagnostic Wing is currently under construction and will increase the number of operating rooms by 50 percent, provide a state-of-the art pediatric imaging facility, and increase the number of cardiac catheterization and clinical laboratories.

Children's Hospital has begun planning additional development on the grounds of the former Philadelphia Civic Center.