AT SAINT JOHN’S Emerging from the rubble and more than a decade of preparation, Saint John’s Health Care Center has moved into its next phase of serving Santa Monica.
Leading up to the grand opening of its new hospital, a host of ceremonies were staged, including a blessing by Cardinal Roger Mahony and several local priests in a special community mass, as well as an official dedication by California First Lady Maria Shriver.
Just weeks ago, Saint John’s opened its north pavilion, a 200,000-square-foot facility which serves as the main inpatient hospital. The multi-million dollar facility is a result of the catastrophic Northridge Earthquake, which forced the hospital to close its doors for nine months back in 1994. The pavilion services critical care, labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care and general surgery.
Designed by HOK and the Smith Group, which specializes in health care facilities, the north pavilion stands 85 feet tall and 600 feet long. It faces 23rd Street off of Santa Monica Boulevard. It is the largest of the buildings on site. Crews began constructing it in 1999 and it is was
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 1, 2005. Read the original PDF.