Parnassus Heights Monthly Construction Update | February 2026

By Maricella Miranda on

About This Monthly Construction Update

UCSF Real Estate shares Parnassus Heights construction updates each month to keep the UCSF community informed about major milestones, ongoing work, and construction impacts. This update reflects activities and anticipated work for February 2026. Dates and details are subject to change. 

February 2026 Highlights

  • Progress Continues at SON Building Site as Demolition Extends into March, Expect Noise for Demolition and Utility Work

  • Curtain Wall Installation and Interior Build-Out Continue on BRAB Site

  • Site Work Advances Ahead of Structural Steel Installation for HDH

UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital

To serve the city with world-class care for the next century, UCSF is constructing the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital (HDH). The 15-story hospital at the Parnassus Heights campus is under construction with completion expected by 2029, followed by activation and first patient in 2030. 

Learn More About the HDH Project

Tower crane lifting a prefabricated corridor ceiling rack during a test pick, a trial lift used to confirm weight, balance, and safe rigging, at the Helen Diller Hospital construction site at UCSF Parnassus Heights.
A tower crane performs a test pick of a prefabricated corridor ceiling rack at the Helen Diller Hospital site, helping crews prepare for future installation and coordination of overhead building systems.

Site Work Advances Ahead of Structural Steel Installation for HDH  

Construction continues to progress in preparation for the next major milestone for UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital (HDH): the start of structural steel installation in April 2026. Crews have begun installing protective debris netting along Medical Center Way (MCW) and extending toward the loading dock. The netting is designed to protect pedestrians and vehicles, and to maintain hospital operations while keeping delivery access open. Netting installation began in early 2026 and is expected to remain in place through 2028 as vertical construction progresses.

Foundation and basement work remain in progress, with completion anticipated in April 2026, followed by completion of the foundation wall in May 2026. As construction advances, above-grade progress will become increasingly visible in Q1 2026, marking the start of the hospital’s superstructure and an exciting milestone toward a place of healing for our patients and families.

Looking ahead to March 2026, some noisy work near the Emergency Department and Clinical Decision Unit (ED/CDU) is anticipated. The project team is coordinating closely with hospital operations to minimize disruption.

Structural steel deliveries are expected to begin in April 2026. With no on-site laydown space available, steel will be offloaded on MCW and hoisted directly into place to construct the new hospital. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic and maintain safe circulation, and deliveries will be carefully coordinated to minimize traffic impacts.

Weekend construction activity will continue along Medical Center Way, with closures on Saturdays and Sundays anticipated through the duration of major construction.

The project remains on track toward a topping-off milestone in 2027. 

 

Impacts and Mitigations | HDH Project  
  • April 2026: Structural steel deliveries expected to begin with flaggers in place to support safe traffic flow.
  • Protective debris netting installation underway along Medical Center Way (MCW) and near the existing hospital loading dock; netting expected to remain in place during the building’s steel erection through 2028.
  • Weekend closures of MCW will continue; weekday single-lane conditions may occur periodically.  
  • March 2026: Noisy work near the existing hospital’s ED/CDU anticipated; coordination continues to be underway with hospital operations to minimize operational impacts and maintain safety.
  • Construction hours for this project include "noisy" work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.  
  • Dates and details are subject to change. 
Photos | HDH Construction as of February 2026
Workers pour and smooth a large concrete floor in the hospital basement, creating the foundation for future sterile processing, elevator lobby, and support spaces at the Helen Diller Hospital construction site.
Crews place and finish a basement floor slab that will support future sterile processing, elevator lobby, and facilities spaces inside the Helen Diller Hospital.
Workers install tall metal anchor bolts, each more than 12 feet high, into a concrete foundation. These bolts will hold large steel columns in place and help support the future hospital structure.
Tall anchor bolts are set into the foundation to secure future steel columns that will support upper floors of the Helen Diller Hospital.
Workers place a grid of steel reinforcing bars inside forms for a basement wall. The steel will be encased in concrete to create a strong foundation that supports the future hospital building.
Crews install reinforcing steel bars (rebar) for a basement foundation wall at the Helen Diller Hospital site, strengthening the concrete that will support the structure above.

UCSF Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building

Construction is underway at Parnassus Heights for the UCSF Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB), a state-of-the-art facility that will create a vital collaborative space driving innovations in scientific research and education. BRAB will house the UCSF School of Nursing and research programs for cancer, microbiology, diabetes, immunology, and cell biology. BRAB is expected to be completed in 2027, with activation in 2028.

Learn More About the BRAB Project

North-facing view of the Bakar Research and Academic Building construction site with cranes, exterior panels, and crews working as the research building continues to take shape.
View of the Bakar Research and Academic Building construction site from the north side, showing ongoing façade installation and interior build-out.

Curtain Wall Installation and Interior Build-Out Continue on BRAB Site

Construction continues to advance across multiple areas of the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) project. Curtain wall installation is progressing steadily, with level 5 panels substantially completed and work now advancing across level 6; subsequent installation is planned for levels 7, 8, and 9. The façade installation marks a visible milestone as the building moves closer to enclosure.

Interior construction continues, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in and general interior build-out. As each level progresses, crews continue sequencing work to support ongoing vertical construction and future program space.  

Work in February and March 2026 will include the removal of existing windows and the installation of new fire-rated windows on the 6th and 7th floors of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), where the future connection to BRAB will occur.

Tower crane operations will continue, with crews lifting and hoisting large equipment to upper levels primarily on Saturdays. Additional façade and equipment deliveries will occur in February, with some materials being lifted to the roof from the Koret Way staging area.  

Most major slab-on-grade concrete pours have been completed. Remaining concrete work will include localized deck pours and shotcrete applications to support ongoing structural and roof-level work. 

Other BRAB Updates

  • Now through 2026: Curtain wall installation is expected to begin and continue for approximately eight months, gradually enclosing the structure and creating a noticeable visual transformation. The façade will define the building’s exterior form and help reduce the transmission of interior and exterior noise.
  • Now – March 19, 2026: In the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), occupants on floors 5-7 can expect noise and vibration during window removal and installation on levels 6 and 7, near the bridge connecting CSB and BRAB. The construction supports the connection between the buildings. The UCSF community can view a Construction Impact Message about the impacts during this work. (MyAccess is required.)
  • May 2026: A partial renovation of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) on the west side of the 7th floor, where the building connects to BRAB, is scheduled to begin. The new space will accommodate future research activity and program connectivity between the two buildings. A bridge from CSB to BRAB is also under construction. 
Impacts and Mitigations | BRAB Project 
  • Now – March 19, 2026: Expect noise and vibration near adjacent floors during window removal and installation on levels 6 and 7 in the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), near the bridge, to support the connection between CSB and BRAB. The UCSF community can view a Construction Impact Message about this work. (MyAccess is required.)
  • Curtain wall installation continuing upward from level 6 to higher floors.  
  • Tower crane hoisting of equipment to upper levels expected on Saturdays.
  • Interior construction activity will increase as the BRAB curtain wall enclosure progresses, with minimal impacts. This includes fireproofing, mechanical installations, interior wall framing, plumbing, electrical work, and fire sprinkler systems. Because the work is underway inside the building, crews will be completing this work during longer work periods later in the day and on Saturdays.
  • Ongoing façade and equipment deliveries staged from Koret Way. Koret Way access will continue to be closed with intermittent access to support construction.
  • Limited remaining concrete work, including deck pours and shotcrete.
  • Construction Hours: Regularly scheduled BRAB construction activities are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional work occurring within the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) hours on the weekends. Construction hours will change during some work, including early morning concrete pours.
  • Dates and details are subject to change. 
Photos | BRAB Construction as of February 2026
South-facing view of the Bakar Research and Academic Building construction site with scaffolding, exterior panels, and construction crews working as the new research facility continues to rise.
View of the Bakar Research and Academic Building from the south side, showing ongoing exterior installation and interior construction progress.
Workers pour and level concrete on the roof to create sturdy pads that will hold large building equipment such as ventilation and cooling systems for the new research building.
Crews place concrete for roof equipment pads that will support future mechanical systems on the Bakar Research and Academic Building.
Construction crews work inside the building on level 2, installing walls, piping, and wiring as interior rooms and lab support spaces begin to take shape.
Interior build-out work progresses on level 2 of the Bakar Research and Academic Building, where crews are installing framing, utilities, and infrastructure for future research and support spaces.
Workers install pipes, ducts, and wiring above the ceiling on level 4 while framing and interior construction continue below, preparing the BRAB space for future research and office areas.
Overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems are installed as interior build-out continues on level 4 of the Bakar Research and Academic Building.

Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements‌

UCSF is embarking on an important endeavor to create a welcoming space that will lead to the “heart of campus” at Parnassus Heights. The Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) program, also known as Parnassus Commons, will provide extensive site improvements in the central core of the Parnassus Heights campus, where the School of Nursing building is currently under demolition. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

Learn More About the PCCSI Project

Excavators and construction crews demolish sections of the former School of Nursing building at UCSF Parnassus Heights, clearing the site for future campus improvements and new pedestrian-friendly open space.
Crews continue demolition of the former School of Nursing building as part of the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements project, preparing the area for future campus open space and infrastructure improvements.

Progress Continues at SON Building Site, Expect Noise for Demolition and Utility Work

Demolition of the former School of Nursing building is expected to continue into March 2026 as crews move through the remaining phases. As of early February 2026, crews reached level 2 on the north side and level 3 on the south side of the structure. 

Following the demolition, noise is expected to continue as utility infrastructure work is completed to support the Parnassus Commons project and west campus development. Utility trenching continues toward the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) and other central campus infrastructure areas into March. 

The mobilization of a crane pick was rescheduled for 8 p.m., February 20, through 5 p.m., February 23, 2026, and additional above-ground water infrastructure installation is underway between Health Sciences West (HSW) and a utility yard south of HSW (known as the Hooper Pad). Noise from jackhammering rock should be expected in adjacent buildings (Health Sciences West and Clinical Sciences Building) during the utility infrastructure work.

Tenant improvement planning is underway for level 2 in the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), where some occupants on levels 6 and 7 will be relocating to support updates in CSB for the BRAB extension. Facade repairs and interior renovations are anticipated in May 2026. The PCCSI and BRAB project teams are closely coordinating construction with the impacted CSB occupants.  

A PCCSI virtual town hall is scheduled for February 25 for the UCSF community to learn about project updates and the latest impacts. (MyAccess is required.)

Other Construction Reminders  

  • ‌Koret Way will remain closed Monday through Friday, with intermittent pedestrian access, as a safety precaution for UCSF Real Estate capital project construction activities. A vehicle access gate on Koret Way will continue to be managed by the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) team during normal business hours, and the UCSF Facilities Services team after hours. Any future access changes along Koret Way will be communicated to the UCSF community.
  • ‌A new emergency egress route (MyAccess login required) has been established for Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) occupants, which leads outside south of the building to Koret Way.‌ See the map below for details. 
Project Impacts and Mitigations | Parnassus Commons Project 
  • 8 p.m. February 20 – 5 p.m. February 23: Crane operations scheduled on Medical Center Way (MCW). Loading docks along MCW will be impacted.
  • February 25: The UCSF community can join a 25-minute virtual Parnassus Commons Town Hall at 12:05 PM Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to learn the latest updates on the project. Registration and MyAccess is required to attend.
  • Heightened construction noise and vibration are expected near the SON building demolition site and Saunders Court at Parnassus Heights. These activities are expected to impact nearby UCSF buildings; see the full list above of impacted buildings. Following the demolition, noise is expected from jackhammering for utility work needed to support the project.
    • Dust management measures and environmental monitoring continue throughout demolition activities.  
    • Sound-dampening strategies are used on equipment where feasible to help limit noise impacts.  
    • Departments experiencing operational disruption may request support in identifying alternative workspace options.
      • If construction is impacting your UCSF research, please contact [email protected].  
      • If you are a UCSF employee and PCCSI construction is impacting your operations, please contact the project team at [email protected] or your supervisor/manager.
  • You may notice a fine white material near utility trench work for the PCCSI project south of the Clinical Sciences Building and west of Health Sciences West and Saunders Court; this material is non-toxic gilsulate insulation being installed around underground piping and may appear as light dust during placement.
  • Earplug Stations: To help minimize the impact on those in nearby UCSF buildings, earplug stations are operational in the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), the Medical Sciences Building (MSB), and the Health Sciences West and East towers. The stations dispense one pair of earplugs at a time to ensure availability. 
  • Pedestrian access remains open on the east side of Saunders Court. Please follow fencing and wayfinding signage to safely navigate around the SON building.
  • Koret Way access will continue to be closed with intermittent openings for pedestrians to support construction operations. Truck deliveries for the project will be on Koret Way.
  • UCSF Facilities Services, in coordination with the PCCSI project team, will communicate utility shutdowns to impacted building occupants as needed.
  • Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, to better support project progress while reducing the duration of impacts on the UCSF community and beyond. ‌Construction for the project adheres to the Comprehensive Parnassus Heights Plan (CPHP) Environmental Impact Report.  
  • Dates and details are subject to change. 

 

PCCSI Project Construction Schedule as of February 2026
This is a graphic of the construction schedule for the PCCSI project as of February 2026.
PCCSI Project Site Map as of February 2026
PCCSI project construction site map as of February 2026.
Koret Way Intermittent Pedestrian Schedule
Table showing intermittent pedestrian access on Koret Way from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.
What to Expect During Upcoming Utility Insulation Installation

In addition to noise and vibrations, the UCSF community may notice a fine white material in areas near the utility trench work for the PCCSI project, which is located south of the Clinical Sciences Building and west of the Health Sciences West tower and Saunders Court. The white material is gilsulate, an insulation material that will be installed around underground chilled water and utility piping. During placement, the material can appear as a light white dust or film on nearby surfaces. 

It is non-toxic and part of standard construction work. The PCCSI project team will continue to monitor conditions and share updates to keep the UCSF community informed on what they are seeing and why it is present.

Medical Center Way Closed for Crane Activity, February 20 – 23
Map of Medical Center Way closure for the PCCSI project, which is scheduled for February 20 through 23, 2026.
Map of Medical Center Way closure, scheduled for February 20-23, 2026.

Medical Center Way at Parnassus Heights will be closed for crane mobilization to support the Parnassus Commons project, also known as the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI), which is scheduled to start 8 p.m. Friday, February 20, through 5 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026. A crane will lift utility pipes and pumps to the Health Sciences West (HSW) tower and south of HSW in a utility yard, known as the Hooper Pad. ‌

Impacts and Mitigations:

  • 8 p.m. Friday, February 20, - 5 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026: Medical Center Way is scheduled to be closed for crane activity.‌ Medical Center Way near Parnassus Avenue continues to be closed on Saturdays and Sundays for the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital (HDH) construction project.
  • ‌Loading docks will be closed during construction for HSW, Health Sciences East (HSE), the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building, and the Parnassus Services building. ‌‌Deliveries to those buildings will be rerouted.
  • Pedestrians south of HSW will be rerouted to alternative entrances.
  • Flaggers will assist with the crane delivery and traffic control.
  • The emergency egress for the Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building, HSE, and HSW will be maintained.
  • Dates and details may change, including due to weather. ‌ 
Ladle & Leaf Celebrates Opening at Millberry Union
Ribbon cutting ceremony with UCSF community members: Tamara Villarina, Meaghan Feiertag, Clayton Chan, Erin Gore, Steve Sarver, Jen Dowd-Kim, and Kimberly Padilla.

On February 5, 2026, the UCSF community celebrated the grand opening of the new Ladle & Leaf location in Millberry Union, room 135, 500 Parnassus Ave., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The relocation from the former School of Nursing building supports the PCCSI project and the broader campus revitalization effort. The refreshed space offers indoor seating and an outdoor terrace and is designed to function as a community lounge outside of café hours, accessible with a UCSF ID badge.

Construction for the relocated café reached substantial completion in late November 2025, followed by final inspections and operational setup. The cafe had a soft opening on December 17, 2025. 

Photo Caption:

Several members of the UCSF community celebrated the opening of the relocated Ladle & Leaf cafe in Millberry Union during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, including from left to right: Tamara Villarina, Retail and Conference Services Manager for UCSF Campus Life Services; Meaghan Feiertag, Project Manager for UCSF Real Estate Campus Design and Construction; Clayton Chan, co-owner of Ladle & Leaf; Erin Gore, Senior Vice Chancellor for UCSF Finance and Administration; Steve Sarver, Ladle & Leaf co-owner; Jen Dowd-Kim, Associate Director for Conference Services, Arts and Events, Retail Services, Campus Life Services; and Kimberly Padilla, Ladle & Leaf Manager. 

Photos | Parnassus Commons Construction as of February 2026
Overhead view of excavators breaking up concrete and clearing debris at the former School of Nursing building site at UCSF Parnassus Heights as demolition progresses to prepare the area for future campus improvements.
Aerial view of ongoing demolition at the former School of Nursing building site, where crews continue clearing the structure to prepare for future open space and infrastructure improvements as part of the Parnassus Commons project.
Excavators and construction crews remove concrete and structural debris at the former School of Nursing building site between campus buildings, as demolition continues to prepare the area for new open space and infrastructure.
Ground-level view of demolition work at the former School of Nursing building site, where crews continue removing structural sections and preparing the area for future Parnassus Commons improvements.
Two large black chilled water pipe sections are lifted with straps and chains, ready for installation underground to support campus cooling and utility systems as part of the Parnassus Commons infrastructure work.
Large chilled water piping components are staged for installation as part of underground utility work supporting future campus infrastructure improvements within the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements project.

Other Construction Updates