Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

11th and 12th Floor Expansion

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Main 11th and 12th Floor Expansion project consisted of constructing a two-story expansion bridge to connect the North and South Towers for new inpatient units.

Due to the complexity of building this expansion above an active 10-story hospital, CHOP engaged Target Building to assist with preconstruction services to help guide and provide input throughout the Design Phase. These services included development and evaluation of logistic options in relation to public safety, means and methods, project schedule, and cost estimate. Our collaborative approach with the Client and Design Team resulted in improved schedule, reduced costs through value engineering, increased transparency, and mitigated potential risks.

Our expertise and guidance in navigating the preconstruction phase of the project with the Client and Design Team, led to the successful award of the construction phase of the project.

In just 24 months, Target Building successfully completed a complex $52 million addition to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) that encompassed three vital objectives. These included the creation of a 14,000 square foot bridge at the tenth-floor roof level, connecting the west and south towers with the existing building. Simultaneously, the project involved the renovation of the 11th and 12th floors, incorporating 32 new patient rooms and staff areas, and upgrading the elevator system.

Undertaking all three elements concurrently was a formidable challenge. Active and adjacent healthcare facilities had to remain undisturbed, with uninterrupted patient care as a top priority. Compounding the complexity, traditional tower cranes couldn’t be used to avoid interference with the operational medical transport helipad located within 100 feet of the construction site. To address this, Target Building developed a swift evacuation system, enabling the team to secure construction materials and vacate the area within 20 minutes of a helicopter’s approach.

Site limitations and logistical challenges were effectively managed using an exterior hoist car for material and labor transport, scaffold towers for access, and temporary working platforms. Target Building’s approach considered and continually evaluated every potential scenario. To meet CHOP’s high standards, Target Building oversaw the construction of an off-site exterior mock-up, enabling meticulous study of wind load pressures, water infiltration systems, and offering an early glimpse of the new patient rooms, ultimately saving time and resources. Innovative plans were enacted to reinforce existing structural steel brace framing on occupied floors, involving thorough coordination, ICRA containments, and best practice compliance. Every conduit, pipe, and wire were color-coded, allowing utilities to be relocated during the installation of new structural steel beams on occupied floors. Managing hot work was a daily effort, with roof platform permitting, a rooftop irrigation system for fire protection, and vigilant oversight at every stage. The renovation of the 11th and 12th floors required more conventional construction practices, featuring MEP&F coordination, intensive teamwork with CHOP’s departments, and a BIM coordinator to ensure compliance with the tight schedule. A final as-built BIM was delivered upon project completion.