The 12th floor was originally constructed as shell space when the hospital opened in 2012 and had been reserved for future expansion. Before the buildout, the area was used primarily for storage. | Photo Credit (all): Hoar Construction
- The buildout of the 12th floor at Children’s of Alabama’s Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children in Birmingham was completed in March
- The project added 50 intensive care patient rooms plus more than 49,000 square feet of critical support space.
- Work began in August 2024 and patient move-ins started at the end of February, with the hospital remaining operational during construction.
- Project partners included Hoar Construction, Poole & Company, BBG&S Engineering Consultants and SSOE Group.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 12th-floor intensive care expansion at Children’s of Alabama’s Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children in downtown Birmingham was completed in March, delivering 50 new intensive care patient rooms and more than 49,000 square feet of critical support space. The new unit combines the PICU and Special Care Units into a single critical care space, providing flexibility for both high- and low-acuity patients. It is the result of a multidisciplinary effort involving nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, IT professionals, facilities, and other partners. The project broke ground in August 2024, and patient move-ins began at the end of February.
“This new unit addresses the increasing demand for pediatric critical care, particularly for children with complex medical needs,” said Tom Shufflebarger, President and CEO of Children’s of Alabama. “It features leading-edge design and technology that will support more efficient care, improved communication, and a healing environment for patients and their families.”
The 12th floor was originally constructed as shell space when the hospital opened in 2012 and had been reserved for future expansion. Before the buildout, the area was used primarily for storage.
“This project is especially meaningful for Hoar because it represents the continued trust Children’s of Alabama has placed in our team for more than a decade,” said Micah Vance, Senior Project Manager at Hoar, in a statement.
“Since the hospital first opened in 2012, we’ve supported everything from small renovations to major expansions like this one. Helping to strengthen the hospital’s ability to care for its most vulnerable patients speaks to the depth of our partnership and our shared commitment to the Birmingham community,” Vance said.
As Children’s of Alabama remained fully operational during the project, minimizing disruption was a priority. The construction team coordinated tie-ins to ductwork, medical gas and water lines with hospital leadership to avoid affecting active patient floors.
To reduce interference with daily operations and patient movement, the project team relied on hospital elevators to move equipment and materials. Deliveries and stocking were scheduled during off-peak hours.
“Throughout this project, keeping patients, families and hospital staff safe remained our highest priority,” said Andrew Bray, Superintendent on the project at Hoar, in a statement.
“Our team approached every phase of the build with that responsibility in mind, ensuring the hospital could continue delivering exceptional care without interruption,” Bray added.
Additional project partners included architect firm Poole & Company, BBG&S Engineering Consultants and SSOE Group. The project was made possible through support from the community, including a $3 million gift from Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation.