The new Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower at Royal Columbian Hospital is set to open on May 31, 2026.

The new 388-bed, 10-storey tower is the second phase of the Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment project. The multi-million, multi-phase project that will increase the hospital’s capacity, introduce advanced medical technologies and improve the health care environment for patients, staff and medical staff.

Phase 2 includes the new acute care tower, featuring more beds, private rooms, new operating rooms, advanced technology and equipment, a 356-stall underground parkade, a 117-stall surface parking lot, new main entrance and rooftop helipad.

Amenities for health-care teams include multiple staff lounges, staff change rooms and lockers on each floor, bike storage, outdoor spaces and a lactation lounge for parents needing to pump milk during the workday.

The tower will open in two stages, making Royal Columbian Hospital the only hospital in B.C. with expanded trauma, cardiac care, neurosurgery, high-risk obstetrics, neonatal intensive care and acute mental health care on one site. EllisDon was the general contractor.

The building has been designed to be LEED Gold. To increase energy efficiency, the project features advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The building is designed with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and incorporates sustainable and locally sourced materials as much as possible.

Phase 1 of the Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment opened in 2020. It included a new mental-health and substance-use wellness centre (with inpatient and outpatient services, including a specialized unit for seniors care), energy centre and parkade. This phase expanded access to mental-health and substance-use care and improved hospital services and facilities.

Phase 3 will include upgrades to the existing health-care centre and Columbia Tower to support the beds and services added in Phase 2. Those renovations are expected to be complete in 2029.