Oregon Health & Science University’s expansion into Portland’s South waterfront took two large steps Tuesday. The university broke ground on a new 14-story high-rise and a 10-story quasi-hotel.
The high rise will have new operating theaters, research labs and a pharmacy.
Artists rendering of OHSU's new the 14-story health care center.
OHSU
Work is already underway, said university president Joe Robertson. “This is the first time I’ve ever been to a ground breaking where there’s actually already a big hole in the ground," he said.
"I guess that's why we don't have a shovel."
Most of the second building will be a hotel — for out of town patients who need to be treated at OHSU and stay for a while.
Rendering of OHSU's new guest housing. It'll be called the Gary and Christine Rood Family Pavilion following the donation of $12 million.
OHSU
Former hospital administrator, Gary Rood, and his wife Christine, donated $12 million towards it. “Every day I was able to see the patients and family that really needed this type of a facility,” he said.
In 2018, when the two buildings are finished, OHSU will have expanded into about a third of its available land in the South Waterfront area.