After years of planning, work is finally beginning on the redevelopment of East York’s Michael Garron Hospital.
The preliminary step involves the relocation of the public parking lot to Sammon Avenue, west of Coxwell Avenue, which is now underway.
The project’s official start will happen in the spring, when the E wing and the F wing podium will be demolished to construct a new eight-storey patient care centre at the corner of Coxwell and Sammon Avenues.
In 2021, the Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre and four underground levels of parking should be completed.
Also scheduled for that year:
- the demolition of the A, B, C, F wings and the D wing podium
- renovation of the rest of the existing spaces
- construction of the front entrance; some landscaping
The project will add around 550,000 square feet of space to the hospital. Another 100,000 square feet of existing space will be renovated.
“The contract is valued at $411 million dollars,” said Hannah Ward, Coordinator, Corporate Communications, Redevelopment and Accreditation at the hospital. It was awarded this month to EllisDon Infrastructure MGH Inc.
Several of the hospital’s historic features will be preserved, among them: the stained-glass memorial windows in the main Coxwell lobby; memorial plaques in the lobby; and cornerstones erected during the many building phases. Formerly known as Toronto East General Hospital, the facility opened in 1929.
“The design embraces our rich history, incorporates best practices, and paves the way for our continued success delivering outstanding care,” said Sarah Downey, the hospital’s president and CEO.
The work is expected to be completed in 2023-2024.
Michael Garron Hospital will stay fully functional during the redevelopment process.