Two architectural firms – Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. and DIALOG Ontario Inc. – have been selected to plan and design renovations and a new structure at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.
The project will include the construction of a 17-storey patient-care tower at Queen and Victoria streets, and the renovation of 150,000 square feet of existing space.
Once the planning and design aspects are completed, the hospital and Infrastructure Ontario will issue a request for qualifications for a company to do the construction work.
A date has not yet been set for construction to start.
The additional space will allow the hospital to relocate patient beds and make room for:
- Five new operating rooms, each large enough to include state-of-the-art medical imaging equipment.
- Enlarged, state-of-the-art facilities for orthopedic surgery, oncology, coronary care and a cystic fibrosis program, as well as critical care space for coronary and medical-surgical units.
- Expansion of the emergency department. It was designed to accommodate 45,000 patient visits, but now accommodates 70,000 a year.
Health and Long-Term Care Minister Deb Matthews said the project will enable the hospital to deliver high-quality care closer to home.
“This is an important step forward in the redevelopment of St. Michael’s Hospital and great news for patients and residents.”
Dr. Robert Howard, CEO of the hospital, said the project will enable hospital staff to provide quality care within a state-of-the-art facility that includes the latest advances in technology and lifesaving equipment.