Chester Co. Hospital's Major Expansion, Rooftop Garden Underway

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Hospital's significant expansion is well underway. The additions include a rooftop garden and numerous other environmentally-oriented amenities.

The garden is seen as the centerpiece of the 250,000 square feet of new design, and it will be in view of many of the hospital's patient rooms, including the 99 new private rooms that will be constructed.

Hospital officials said that green views are crucial for the mental aspect of healing.

"Penn's Urban Health Lab has found that access to green views is associated with improved general mental health, reduced mental fatigue, and improved coping with stressful situations - making this feature a double benefit to our community," the hospital said in a statement describing the project.

The hospital hopes to attain the coveted LEED certification with the new additions.

Other expansions include a rooftop helipade, 15 modern operating room suites, three high-tech labs for catheterization and electrophysiology, 13 additional emergency department rooms, a new gift shop and bistro, and other public spaces in addition to the rooftop garden designed to create a calming atmosphere.

Officials are hopeful the project will be completed by Jan. 2020.