Tulane University announced its plans to transform the former Charity Hospital building into a national hub of bioscience discovery and medical advancements with more than 650,000 square feet dedicated to Tulane education, health, research, and innovation initiatives.
The university has signed a purchase and sale agreement for the project with the original developer, 1532 Tulane Holdco, LLC. This is a significant step towards redeveloping the Charity building. As part of the agreement, Tulane’s role in the project has evolved significantly. Rather than serving solely as a tenant, Tulane is transitioning to an ownership role and lead developer of the project.
This increased role underscores the university’s commitment to the project and reflects its active and central effort in advancing the redevelopment of this landmark building.
Pre-construction activity on the site will begin in the coming weeks. The university is planning a groundbreaking ceremony in the fall, after the financial closing, to officially kick off the construction phase of the $500 million project. The ceremony will include city, state, and federal officials and representatives of the Goldring Family Foundation, which is providing the lead private gift for the project. Construction is expected to be completed in 2029.
Tulane plans to utilize a significant majority of the one-million-square-foot structure, marking a major expansion of the university’s downtown campus. The building will become the new home for Tulane’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and the Tulane University Innovation Institute. Parts of the Tulane School of Medicine will also occupy the redeveloped structure.