St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has unveiled plans to build a 16-story Advanced Research Tower, set to become a prominent addition to the Memphis skyline. The proposed 865,000-square-foot facility, as reported by WREG, aims to revolutionize care for children with catastrophic illnesses. The tower will feature cutting-edge research infrastructure and improved site access, establishing it as a state-of-the-art hub for medical advancement.
In pursuit to fundamentally advance the life-saving research and treatments, the tower is part of a grand $12.9 billion strategic endeavor — a venture that has already been instrumental in generating over 2,000 jobs, with hundreds more in contractual processes, as explained by an ALSAC representative in application documents obtained by WREG. "This expansion is necessary to allow St. Jude to continue its work to advance care and treatment for catastrophically ill children, and to further our mission to provide treatment, housing and other support to patients and families who never receive a bill from St. Jude," the representative stated.
The proposed addition to the campus would surpass the height of the iBank building in East Memphis and offer more square footage than other notable Memphis landmarks, such as Crosstown Concourse and Clark Tower, according to details from a FOX13 Memphis report. This megastructure is slated to rise on the northeast corner of the campus at North Danny Thomas Boulevard and A.W. Willis Avenue, complete with athletic facilities inclusive of sports fields and courts.
As the largest development in St. Jude's history, the tower's significance extends beyond its size, with the potential to impact pediatric research and healthcare. The project is currently under review by the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning and Development, which will evaluate its potential effects and benefits. This could become one of the city's notable architectural projects, according to a report from Memphis Business Journal. St. Jude has also collaborated with local community stakeholders to ensure the project aligns with neighborhood interests.
