The University of Kansas Hospital (TUKH) recently celebrated a major project milestone by holding a topping out ceremony for its Cambridge North Tower. Covered in hundreds of employee and dignitary signatures, the final beam was hoisted into place signifying that construction has reached its maximum height. Construction of the initial phase is scheduled for completion in late 2017.
TUKH has embarked on an ambitious master plan that will eventually occupy four city blocks in the heart of Kansas City, Kansas. The first phase includes the Cambridge North Tower — an 11-story, 220-bed tower — that begins to expand the campus north of 39th street to decant the existing facilities and establish a new inpatient epicenter, allowing existing facilities to be backfilled with outpatient clinics and services. The Cambridge North Tower includes a surgical and diagnostic platform on the main level along with significant public space, with the remaining floors of inpatient space dedicated to the specialties of oncology, neurosciences, and otolaryngology. The project encompasses intelligent infrastructural investments (i.e., loading dock, central plant, parking solutions) that will benefit not only this tower, but also support future expansion as their master plan is continually refreshed and implemented.