Mayo Clinic Expansion in Phoenix to Continue with $1.9 Billion Investment
By Fay Harvey
PHOENIX — The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit healthcare organization focused on research, education and innovation, recently announced a $1.9 billion investment into its Phoenix healthcare campus as part of its transformative “Build. Forward. Unbound.” initiative to enable innovative care concepts physically and digitally across networks. The campus will receive integrated, modern technology and a 1.2-million-square-foot expansion. The project’s design-build team is comprised of St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies Inc., and global architecture firms Gensler and Arup.
At the time of the 2020 U.S. Census, Phoenix was the nation’s fifth largest city and the fastest-growing city in the nation, experiencing an 11.2% population increase. To better serve a growing population, Mayo Clinic’s Phoenix campus will double in size, aiming to meet the expanding healthcare needs of residents while creating new opportunities for research and education.
“This incredible investment will forever change the patient and staff experience in Arizona as Mayo Clinic grows and reinvents its nationally recognized clinical care, research and education,” said Richard J. Gray, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona, in a statement. “‘Bold. Forward. Unbound.’ in Arizona will increase clinical space on the Phoenix campus by nearly 60%, allowing us to care for more patients than ever before. We look forward to setting new standards for patient care and medical innovation.”
A Look at the Phoenix Campus
The existing Mayo Clinic Specialty Building will receive a four-floor vertical and horizontal expansion in addition to 11 new operating rooms, specialty technology and two new patient units housing 48 additional beds. A new two-story, indoor promenade will wrap the face of the campus.
AI will be heavily integrated into hospital operations to streamline daily tasks, such as patient reminders and early diagnoses. The technology will help healthcare specialists treat complex and serious illnesses with better predictability and greater reliability.
The project also includes the implementation of care neighborhoods, a new design approach that will place essential services near care teams, patients and visitors. This arrangement will minimize trips across campus and build a sense of cohesion, emphasizing Mayo Clinic’s collaborative care model. Within the neighborhoods, natural materials, natural light, and public spaces will be featured to soothe patients and support overall well-being.
An additional piece of Mayo Clinic’s Arizona. “Bold. Forward. Unbound.” strategy was the three-story Integrated Education and Research building completed on the Phoenix campus in late 2024. The 150,000-square-foot building, located near Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic’s 12-acre Discovery Oasis biotech development, provides future healthcare professionals with opportunities to collaborate with top multidisciplinary teams, gain hands-on experience and contribute to groundbreaking medical advancements. The facility was built by global contractors DPR Construction with design by Los Angeles-based CO Architects and Phoenix-based DFDG Architecture.
Approximately 45,000 square feet of the facility are devoted to education, with two 60-person classrooms and two 30-person classrooms as well as a virtual reality room. A library is available to students and staff with access to individual and group study rooms, a Sectra anatomy table and literary resources. An additional 45,000 square feet are reserved for the laboratory area, with room to house 25-30 scientists. Cutting-edge technology for imaging and specialized facilities for flow cytometry, single-cell analytics and genomic analysis are available for research.
A connecting bridge brings together the two facilities, while under the walkway a shaded courtyard inspires intentional collaboration and mingling.
Initiatives Across the Nation
The “Bold. Forward. Unbound.” initiative will also apply to Mayo Clinic facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., and Rochester, Minn. Recently, the nonprofit completed expansion projects in Mankato, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis., which brought enhanced care experiences, new technologies and modern automation to the respective locations.
The Jacksonville campus, slated for completion in 2026, will feature healing environments and 750,000-square-feet of added space. With a focus on cancer care and cutting-edge treatment options, the clinic will be equipped with intuitive, state-of-the-art technology such as wireless vitals and clinical intelligence to improve care team response.