HOUSTON — Memorial Hermann Healthcare System (MHHS) has selected Balfour Beatty Construction to provide preconstruction and construction services for a $533 million renovation and expansion of the Texas Medical Center campus in Houston. These improvements are intended to help MHHS provide the latest technology and procedures for the growing healthcare needs of the Houston area.
The master-planned project includes construction of the Hermann Pavilion 2, a 17-story hospital spanning more than 1 million square feet, including an expanded emergency room, operating room, intensive care and administrative support capacity. The hospital will include 160 new inpatient beds, 71 replacement beds, 24 new operating rooms and six additional shell space floors for future bed expansion. A helipad on the roof of the hospital will provide space for the Memorial Hermann Life Flight air ambulance.
The construction of a new six-story parking and infrastructure building will provide parking, future space for a new kitchen service and the expansion of hospital heating, cooling and emergency generator systems. The building will also include electrical infrastructure.
Several projects to reorient or relocate existing services will be completed prior to the start of construction. These projects will include the relocation of the hyperbaric chamber and wound care department and the construction of temporary access to the emergency department at Hermann Pavilion 1.
The Texas Medical Center campus operates one of only two Level I trauma centers in metro Houston, providing 24-hour emergency and trauma care. All hospital operations will be functional throughout the duration of the project, and all construction services will be coordinated with the ongoing operations of the campus. The project is scheduled for completion in 2018.
Balfour Beatty Construction has a 27-year history with MHHS and has performed more than 225 improvement projects for the healthcare system.
“A project of this complexity will require state-of-the-art construction methodology. Balfour Beatty will use all of the tools in our arsenal, including Lean construction and sustainable or zero waste practices, pre-fabrication and digital technology to efficiently deliver this project for MHHS and our community,” says Steve Mechler, Houston division president of Balfour Beatty Construction. “After almost three decades of work with MHHS, I am proud that Balfour Beatty has been part of expanding healthcare services in the Houston area, and I am excited to be involved in this milestone project.”
— Haisten Willis