Skybridge Underway at Rush Medical’s Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building

Extensive work can be seen for the Skybridge component of Rush University Medical Center‘s Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. This new 10-story cancer and neuroscience building that has topped in Little Italy, adjacently east of the Illinois Medical District at 1520 W Harrison Street.

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Photo by Jack Crawford

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Photo by Jack Crawford

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Photo by Jack Crawford

This new 480,000-square-foot facility will house programming for diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, infusion therapy, and integrated medicine. As for specifications, the project will support 300 clinical rooms for medical exams, treatments, and infusions, and will be equipped with state-of-the-art imaging and radiation technology. Other features will comprise of a pharmacy, acupuncture and massage rooms, and outdoor terrace space. The building’s third will also connect to the main Rush University Medical Center building via a Skybridge, which will stretch well over 100 feet across S Ashland Avenue.

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building (southwest corner). Rendering by HDR

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Rendering by HDR

Designed by HDR and Nia Architects, the massing will involve a rectangular volume with two rounded corners. The facade will integrate a mix of dark brick cladding facing south and east, while the north and west sides will feature a patterned glass curtain wall. As can be seen in photos, the glass on the north-facing side only begins at around halfway up, with a masonry wall underneath. This lack of glass is to accommodate a shorter 900-vehicle parking garage directly to the north. Structural work on this garage has not yet begun.

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Photo by Jack Crawford

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Photo by Jack Crawford

For bus transportation, Routes 7, 9, and X9 stop at the adjacent corner of Ashland & Harrison. Also nearby are stops for Routes 50, 60, 126, 157, and 755, all within a 10-minute walking radius. CTA L service is also in the vicinity, with Blue Line trains available via a seven-minute walk northeast. The Pink Line can be found via an eight-minute walk southeast to Polk station.

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Photo by Jack Crawford

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building. Photo by Jack Crawford

The Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building is one of various recent medical and residential projects sprouting up in the area, a sign of continuous development and densification for The Illinois Medical district and its periphery. With Power Construction as the general contractor, this latest addition is expected to wrap up in 2022.

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