The develoment involves the construction of two clinical towersthat would account for 1.5 million sf of space--that is, if theMaryland Health Care Commission signs off on the project and ifHopkins does not change the size of the buildings due to financialconcerns brought on by increasingly exorbitant steel prices.

When construction reaches completion, one building will featurea cardiovascular and critical care tower with 320 beds and 44operating suites, and the second will contain the children's andmaternity hospital with 205 beds, 10 operating suites, and laborand delivery rooms. Several older buildings, including a parkingstructure for 2,000 vehicles and a laundry facility, had to bedemolished to make room for the new developments, which are beingdesigned by architectural firm Perkins & Will.

The two structures are actually part of a greater $1-billionexpansion endeavor envisioned by the hospital. Scheduled to takeplace in phases over a 10-year period, the plan calls for a totalof 2.2 million sf of space that would include--in addition to thenew medical facilities--800 dorm rooms, the enlarging of threeschools and an increase in the campus's open green space.