New UPMC Presbyterian Tower A Step Closer To Completion

PITTSBURGH, PA — A monumental moment occurred Tuesday in the construction of the new 17-story UPMC Presbyterian tower in Oakland: one of the final structural steel beams was put in place.

The beam topping off ceremony commemorates the accomplishments of the construction crew. The broom placed on the beam signifies this portion of the project occurred without any lives lost. The evergreen symbolizes positive things such as good luck for the hospital's future patients and staff.

“Setting the last beam is a major milestone in the evolution of a building project,” Sandy Rader, UPMC president, said in a statement. “This patient care tower reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible work environment for our staff and life-changing medicine for our patients.”

When the project is completed in late 2026, the 1.2 million square foot building will house 636 private patient rooms. The tower also will leading-edge operating rooms, rooftop gardens, spacious family lounges, a restaurant and other cafés, an interfaith chapel and a 450-foot space parking garage.