Tutor Perini Corporation subsidiary, Rudolph and Sletten, has been awarded a $960 million design-build contract for the new UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, California. The contract represents a milestone in the long-anticipated Oakland campus modernization, with construction to begin in September 2025 and substantial completion scheduled for 2031.
Designed by SmithGroup, the new hospital will span seven levels above grade and one basement, covering 277,500 square feet. The hospital will comprise an improved emergency department, a neonatal intensive care unit, seven surgery suites, 137 single-room patient rooms, and a 20-bed inpatient behavioral health unit. The project also includes construction of a 269-space parking garage with a roof heliport, new site infrastructure, and demolition of three existing buildings to be taken down for construction.
Oakland Hospital Building Approval
The University of California Board of Regents gave the project its go-ahead in July 2024 at a total cost of $1.49 billion, which covers construction, equipment, and other project costs. Rudolph and Sletten’s $960 million contract represents the hard-construction portion of that total approval.
Outside the hospital tower, UCSF is also undertaking a campus-wide modernization program. A new Administrative Support Building will open in 2026, with seismic and infrastructure renovations occurring across the entire campus to improve resilience and sustainability. The new children’s hospital will also feature LEED Gold certification, with projected water savings of 35% and expanded electric-vehicle charging capacity.
UCSF officials characterize the project as an integral part of delivering excellent pediatric care to Oakland and the Bay Area. The technologically advanced hospital will increase capacity when completed, as well as continue the mission of the institution to care for some of California’s poorest children. This project follows a growing number of children’s hospital construction projects across the country. In July, UNC and Duke Health announced plans to build a multibillion-dollar NC Children’s Hospital in Apex.
Construction on UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland: Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Oakland, California
Owner: University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
Architect: SmithGroup
General Contractor: Rudolph and Sletten (Tutor Perini Corporation subsidiary)
Project Type: New pediatric hospital construction
Financial Information
Construction Contract Value: $960 million
Total Project Budget: $1.49 billion (includes construction, equipment, and other project costs)
Approval: UC Board of Regents, July 2024
Project Timeline
Construction Start: September 2025
Substantial Completion: 2031
Construction Duration: Approximately 6 years
Building Specifications
Total Building Area: 277,500 square feet
Structure: 7 above-grade levels + 1 basement level
Patient Rooms: 137 single-patient rooms
Clinical Facilities
Expanded Emergency Department
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Seven (7) Surgical Suites
20-bed Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit
Advanced pediatric care facilities
Supporting Infrastructure
Parking: 269-space parking garage with rooftop heliport
Site Work: New infrastructure installation
Demolition: Three existing buildings to be demolished
Utilities: Enhanced site utilities and systems
Sustainability Features
Certification Target: LEED Gold
Water Conservation: 35% water savings compared to baseline
Transportation: Expanded electric vehicle charging capacity
Design Focus: Enhanced resilience and sustainability
