Yale New Haven Hospital Breaks Ground On $838M Neurosciences Center

NEW HAVEN, CT —Yale New Haven Hospital broke ground Wednesday on the $838 million, 505,000 square foot project that includes the construction of a new Neurosciences Center on the Saint Raphael Campus at 659 George St.

The project was officially announced on April 29, 2019, but its start was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project is being realized in part due to the philanthropic generosity of Stephen and Denise Adams of Connecticut. In recognition of their generosity, it is anticipated that a significant portion will be named the Adams Neurosciences Center. Lifelong supporters of the arts, education and health, Stephen and Denise Adams’ transformational leadership gift will advance the delivery of cutting-edge neurosciences research and care in Connecticut, New England and beyond.

“What started as an ambitious dream in this parking lot over three years ago is now ready to become a reality,” said Christopher O’Connor, president and CEO, Yale New Haven Health. “Through perseverance, hard work and determination, starting with our partners in the City of New Haven and boosted with a belief in this dream by Stephen and Denise Adams, Yale New Haven Health marks today’s groundbreaking with an eye three years into the future when we open one of the most advanced neuroscience centers in the United States. Breakthroughs in medicine and science can sometimes move more slowly than we would like. But in the end, the goal of serving our patients, families, and this community, though philanthropic generosity and vision, provides us with the brightest beacon for the future.”

The project will include two new patient facilities and focus on innovation in the neurosciences. It will be the largest project of its kind in state history and will provide enhanced access to state-of-the-art care for patients. The project will feature 201 inpatient beds and provide a unique setting for patients seeking innovative care from movement disorders to neuro-regeneration. The project will also serve as a replacement strategy for York Street campus’ East Pavilion semi-private beds, which opened for patients in 1953. It will decant roughly half of those beds so no increase in bed license is being sought.

“Yale New Haven Health is the largest private employer in Connecticut and to resume construction post-COVID is very important for our state,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “We are very fortunate that this type of investment will stretch the boundaries of medicine and likely lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of neurologic disease. So, as we celebrate the hundreds of new construction and permanent jobs this groundbreaking represents, we are also humbled by the direct impact it will have on the health of our citizens.”

The new center will consist of two patient bed towers (the Sherman tower adjacent to Sherman Avenue and McGivney tower built atop of the existing McGivney Center). Both towers will share a common podium that will house the new entrance and the main lobby on the first floor, neurosurgery, radiology spaces on the second floor, and care giver spaces and the mechanical equipment room on the third floor.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, who called the project a "transformational investment," for the city, thanked YNHH and the Board of Alders for "helping to make it a reality for the Elm City.”

The project will create hundreds of construction jobs as well as new positions at Yale New Haven Hospital.

“Yale New Haven Hospital has made great efforts to bring our elected and community leaders in from the start” said Tyisha Walker-Myers, president, New Haven Board of Alders. “We appreciate that transparency and we recognize the value this project brings to our city. As the representative of the 23rd ward, I look forward to the continued partnership on supporting and improving our neighborhood.”