Wisconsin new children’s hospital opens new patient tower

The 12-story 425,000 sq ft west tower expansion was built directly in front of the existing hospital.

Choreographed patient moves into the new hospital space will begin on April 6 when floors three through five, the critical care unit, will be occupied. Acute care floors nine through 11 will be occupied April 27, 2009, and Herma Heart Center moves into its new space on the second floor of the new tower in early May, 2009.

The $168 million west tower, for which construction began in 2005, is to accommodate the growing number of patient days and outpatient visits.

Rooms in the new tower are larger than the hospital’s existing rooms and were designed based on input from patient families, nurses, physicians and staff members.

Architects for the project are Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott, of Boston, and Zimmerman Design Group, of Milwaukee. Boldt Construction of Waukesha is the construction manager. More than 25 local contractors supported construction of the west tower.