It’s UPMC’s largest construction project ever and the largest current health care construction project in Pennsylvania. Now the new UPMC Presbyterian tower is one step closer to completion, as one of the final structural steel beams settled into place today on the top floor of the 17-story building. When construction completes in late 2026, the 1.2 million square foot project will house 636 private patient rooms, equipped with technologic advances that support the exceptional experience of patients and staff.
“Setting the last beam is a major milestone in the evolution of a building project,” said Sandy Rader, UPMC Presbyterian president. “This patient care tower reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible work environment for our staff and life-changing medicine for our patients.”
In addition to the patient rooms, the facility will have many amenities and healing spaces, including leading-edge operating rooms, rooftop gardens, spacious family lounges, a restaurant and other cafés, an interfaith chapel and a parking garage able to accommodate 450 vehicles.
The project has been intentional in creating opportunities for thousands of local union workers and has specifically targeted businesses owned by women, people of color, persons with disabilities, veterans, the LGBTQIA+ community, and various small businesses. Outreach efforts have also focused on students interested in pursuing careers in the trades or learning about in-demand healthcare roles. Upon completion, more than 3,400 union trade workers will have contributed to the construction.
Large construction and technology projects can also introduce students to technical career paths that sit between traditional trades and increasingly connected building systems. For those interested in hands-on technology, system design or project coordination, exploring careers in the custom integration industry can open up roles ranging from technicians and systems designers to project managers working with AV, security and integrated technologies. These roles often combine practical installation skills with networking, troubleshooting, programming and collaboration with other construction professionals. As buildings become more connected, people entering the field can work across commercial, residential and specialised environments while developing expertise that spans both physical infrastructure and digital systems.
“We are fulfilling our promises to build the health care of the future with the most advanced facilities and technologies to further build on our commitment to patient-centered experiences,” said Leslie C. Davis, president and CEO, UPMC. “We are firmly committed to serving this city, county and region, and all communities that our patients call home across the country and the globe, for decades to come.”
The beam topping off custom celebrates the construction process, and it uniquely honors the accomplishments of the construction crew. The broom placed on the beam signifies construction has reached the sky without loss of life and it bodes well for the future inhabitants of the building. The evergreen symbolizes positive things – good luck for future occupants, new or continued growth in concert with the environment and a safe job well done.
