Northwestern Memorial Hospital is planning a major expansion of its Streeterville campus with a new tower that would add hundreds of beds and consolidate cancer care into a single facility. The proposed development signals a bold investment in inpatient services, even as many hospitals shift focus toward outpatient care.
The planned tower, located across from the Feinberg Pavilion and bordered by Fairbanks Court, Huron Street, McClurg Court, and Erie Street, would include 278 new medical-surgical beds and 36 intensive care beds. The hospital has submitted a US$56 million request to cover design costs, with full construction details to be reviewed in a future application. A 2031 opening is anticipated.
The new facility would centralize oncology services currently spread across five buildings into one home for the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center. It would also house cardiology, neurology, and transplant care, in addition to five new operating rooms, expanded imaging, and space for 55 to 85 physician practices.
Hospital officials say the expansion is driven by rising demand for inpatient care, particularly among aging populations. They cite constraints in existing facilities and inefficiencies caused by navigating multiple pavilions for services like imaging and diagnostics.
The tower is designed to be future-ready, with adaptable care spaces capable of integrating evolving medical technologies and supporting a range of patient needs. Northwestern also notes the importance of the project in supporting recruitment and retention of top-tier medical professionals.
Architecture and engineering services are being provided by Perkins & Will. A public hearing on the design application is scheduled for September 25 before the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board.
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