Parnassus Heights Monthly Construction Update | September 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 expected construction as of September 2026. Dates and details are subject to change.
Other Construction: Hillway Avenue Temporarily Closed on September 19, 2026
Steel installation continues at Helen Diller Hospital, with level 5 beginning on the south side and level 4 nearing completion at the northeast and northwest areas.
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.
Structural Steel Work Continues as Level 4 Cantilever Nears Completion
Construction of the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital (HDH) continues to advance in the structural steel phase. In early September, crews continued working to complete the level 4 steel cantilever over Medical Center Way in the northeast and northwest and level 3 over the existing Long Hospital.
Steel erection will continue through mid-2027, providing the structural framework for the new hospital. Slab-on-metal-deck concrete pours will be prepared for placement in September 2026 with concrete anticipated in early October 2026, marking another step in vertical construction.
What to Expect During Construction | HDH | September 2026
Construction Visibility
Construction activities will be visible, including from some patient care areas.
Patients may see construction, including welding activity, outside their windows.
When appropriate for patient comfort, staff may offer to close the window shades.
Patients and visitors should avoid prolonged viewing of bright lights to limit potential discomfort, but welding does not present visual safety hazards through windows.
Steel and Concrete Deliveries and Traffic
Steel erection remains ongoing, and concrete deliveries have resumed. Both steel and concrete deliveries are expected to continue through most of 2027.
Intermittent lane shifts on Parnassus Avenue in front of the HDH site are expected for steel deliveries on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Patient Privacy and Comfort
Patient privacy and a safe, comfortable care environment remain top priorities.
Construction workers are instructed to avoid looking into patient care areas.
When possible, temporary screening and protective barriers will be installed in appropriate locations to reduce visibility into patient rooms.
Odors from Welding Activities
Some welding operations may produce temporary odors.
Certain welding activities will occur near hospital air intakes.
Odor-control measures used during welding activities have been effective. The construction team will continue using mitigation measures as needed to help direct welding fumes away from hospital air intakes and minimize impacts within the hospital environment.
Staff and Providers: Reporting Questions or Concerns
Operational questions: Notify your manager to coordinate appropriate follow-up.
Immediate patient care impacts (24/7): Call 415-353-1120 for immediate triage.
September 9-11, 2026: Intermittent delays of up to 15 min can be expected on Medical Center Way.
Protective netting is above Medical Center Way to maintain safe access along this critical path of travel during ongoing construction.
Weekday lane shift planned to support installation activities through July 2027.
Weekend closures continue. During closures, only emergency and authorized transport vehicles may pass.
Dates and details subject to change.
Reminder: Extended Construction Hours for HDH Structural Steel Erection
During the vertical construction phase, which is expected to continue through summer 2027, extended work hours are required to support structural steel erection and above-grade structural concrete work. The construction team is making every effort to carry out preparation work carefully and efficiently, with the goal of minimizing extended hours as much as possible.
Structural Steel Erection: Extended work hours are necessary to maintain continuous thermal control during welding operations. The welding of super-large structural steel columns is a safety-critical activity that cannot be interrupted without increasing the risk of permanent structural defects.
Structural Steel project work hours (Monday – Saturday):
5 a.m. – 8 a.m. “not noisy” work
Site setup and pre-heating large seismic-resistive steel columns in preparation for welding them together.
“Not noisy” general structural steel work.
8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. “noisy” work
“Noisy” general structural steel work begins – steel deliveries, erection of the steel framework, installation of metal decking, and stair placement.
5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. “not noisy” work
“Not noisy” general structural steel work finishes.
Cooling large seismic-resistive steel columns, site breakdown.
Above-Grade Structural Concrete: Through late 2027, during periodic above-grade structural steel concrete placement activities, the above hours will be further extended from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is required to ensure proper concrete batching and placement to maintain structural integrity. Concrete placement must proceed continuously once initiated to avoid cold joints, which can adversely impact structural integrity and long-term performance.
Photos: HDH Construction as of September 2026
Level 4 steel construction progresses at Helen Diller Hospital, cantilevering over level 3 of the existing Long Hospital.
Reinforcement for concrete shear walls progresses in the Helen Diller Hospital basement, incorporating structural steel to enhance seismic resistance.
A protective scaffold bay has been established at Helen Diller Hospital for dumpster storage and concrete truck staging adjacent to the ambulance bay.
Exterior glazing installation continues along the northeast elevation of BRAB.
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.
BRAB Construction Advances with Building Energization and Upcoming Crane Removal
Construction continues to advance on the UCSF Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB), with crews working toward completing the building enclosure. The project reached a major milestone in late August with the successful energization of the building, bringing permanent power throughout BRAB for the first time, and is now preparing for another major milestone with the upcoming removal of the tower crane in October 2026.
Exterior curtain wall installation is expected to continue through mid-September 2026 while interior construction, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installation, fireproofing, elevator framing, and interior framing, progresses throughout the building. Removal of the site's tower crane is targeted for late September 2026.
This summer also marks an important transition within the Clinical Sciences Building. On the west side of the building, near BRAB, updated fire-rated window replacement was completed on levels 6 and 7. Occupancy on level 6 was completed on July 24, 2026. On level 7, interior demolition will begin to create a more open workspace that connects with the future BRAB facility.
In September 2026, permanent underground utility installation began on Parnassus Avenue near Third and Fourth avenues. Traffic impacts are expected through January 2027, including daily lane shifts during working hours. A traffic ambassador will support this operation and help coordinate traffic, parking, and daycare pick-up and drop-off on Parnassus Avenue.
What to Expect During Construction | BRAB Project | September 2026
Parnassus Avenue Utility Work
September 21, 2026 – January 29, 2027: Crews will shift traffic lanes on Parnassus Avenue between Third and Fourth avenues to perform excavation for underground utility work. One traffic lane will be closed during working hours, with two lanes remaining open at all times.
Travelers may experience minor delays while work is underway.
Flaggers will be on-site to safely direct pedestrians and vehicles.
A temporary drop-off and pick-up area for the Marilyn Reed Lucia Child Care Study Center will be designated on Third Avenue between Parnassus Avenue and Irving Street.
No impacts on shuttle stops are expected.
Work includes piping installation and backfilling, with a small crew.
September – November 2026: Demolition will take place on level 7 of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), where CSB connects to BRAB, in preparation for interior improvements supporting future research activity and connectivity between the two buildings. The project is expected to be completed in early 2028.
Construction noise is anticipated during demolition and may also be noticeable on level 6 of CSB.
To minimize disruption to CSB occupants, demolition debris will be removed through the bridge connecting CSB to BRAB on level 7.
Exterior painting of CSB along Parnassus Avenue will continue through September 2026. Façade repairs and interior renovations on levels 1 through 7 are planned through December 2026.
Exterior Façade and Curtain Wall Installation (Ongoing)
Continued installation on level 4 along the north side.
As work progresses, some construction noise and lift activity are expected to decrease, particularly on the south side
Interior Buildout and Systems Installation (Ongoing)
Active work on all floors, including Level 10
Morning Deliveries (Ongoing)
Expect weekly morning deliveries (typically Tuesday or Wednesday) for façade materials through summer 2026.
Expect weekly morning deliveries for materials for interior buildout work and finishes will be ongoing on Koret Way. Koret Way remains restricted to pedestrians, with intermittent access between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Traffic and Pedestrians Around the BRAB Site
Traffic flaggers are positioned on Parnassus Avenue at Fourth and Third avenues to support safe, inbound and outbound construction deliveries.
Flaggers are monitoring traffic on Koret Way for the project.
Dates and details are subject to change.
Starting September 21, 2026: Parnassus Avenue Utility Work for BRAB
Beginning September 21, 2026, through January 29, 2027, crews will shift traffic lanes on Parnassus Avenue between Third and Fourth avenues to perform excavation for underground utility work. This work is necessary to connect the underground utilities for the new building to existing city utility lines along Parnassus Avenue.
What to Expect
One traffic lane will be closed during working hours, with two lanes remaining open at all times in accordance with the approved traffic control plan. Travelers may experience minor delays while work is underway.
Flaggers will be onsite to safely direct pedestrians and vehicles.
A temporary drop-off and pick-up area for the Marilyn Reed Lucia Child Care Study Center will be designated on Third Avenue between Parnassus Avenue and Irving Street.
No impacts for shuttle stops are expected.
Work includes piping installation and backfilling, with a small crew.
Demolition Underway in Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), Level 7
Demolition activities are scheduled from September through November 2026 on level 7 of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), where the building connects to BRAB. The work will prepare the area for interior improvements, supporting future research activity and program connectivity between the two buildings.
A bridge connecting CSB and BRAB is also under construction.
What to Expect
Noise is anticipated during demolition, including on level 6 of CSB.
To minimize disruption to CSB occupants, demolition debris will be removed through the bridge connecting CSB to BRAB on level 7.
Additional work at CSB will continue during this period, including exterior painting along Parnassus Avenue through September 2026 and façade repairs and interior renovations on levels 1 through 7 through December 2026.
The partial renovation is underway on the west and north sides of level 7 in CSB, where the building connects to BRAB. The project is expected to be completed in early 2028.
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 at the former School of Nursing building site. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
Major Utility Connections Completed as Work Shifts to Parnassus Commons Features
Construction continues to advance on the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project, also known as Parnassus Commons, as work transitions from major underground utility infrastructure to the future plaza, promenade, and landscape features.
A significant milestone was reached in August with major utility connections serving the west campus. Crews successfully connected new fire and domestic water infrastructure to the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB), and a new chilled water system to Health Sciences West (HSW). A chilled water system shutdown in the Health Science West (HSW) is planned for September 12 to support functional testing. Concurrently, an electrical shutdown in the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) is needed to energize the fire water tank system. Building occupants are notified of all utility shutdowns by UCSF Facilities Services. Following functional testing, the chilled water system will be connected to BRAB. Remaining infrastructure work includes constructing storm and area drains.
Above ground, the crew continues to import soil to the site. Workers are beginning to construct the features that will create the future Parnassus Commons. Crews are beginning to form curved “candy cane” walls for a water feature and excavate to form footings for the elevated canopy walkway. Crane activities supporting this work are planned for fall 2026.
In the nearby Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), exterior demolition is complete to support repairing the building’s facade, where it previously connected to the School of Nursing building, which was demolished for the Parnassus Commons project. Exterior framing, façade repairs, and interior renovations are ongoing. CSB occupants may continue to hear intermittent construction noise through November 2026.
The PCCSI project remains on track to be completed in summer 2027, transforming the former School of Nursing site into a new central campus plaza and promenade with connections between surrounding buildings.
What to Expect During Construction | PCCSI | September 2026
Noise and Vibration (Ongoing)
Construction activity may result in noise and vibration in these buildings:
Clinical Sciences Building (CSB)
Health Sciences East and West (HSE and HSW)
Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building (IRM)
Medical Sciences Building (MSB)
Koret Hall (Koret Vision Center)
And possibly other nearby buildings adjacent to Saunders Court.
Earplug stations are available in CSB, MSB, and HSE/HSW.
Dust control and environmental monitoring are in place.
Sound-dampening strategies are used on equipment.
Work at Hooper Pad (Ongoing)
Construction behind Health Sciences West (HSW) to install new system components, including pumps
Chilled water system pumps and controls are installed, with testing and commissioning underway.
Additional electrical and demolition work at Hooper Pad is planned for December 2026 through February 2027.
CSSB and Promenade Area Work (Ongoing)
Expect minor demolition and reconfiguration activities within and around the Campus Support Services Building (CSSB), previously called the Rad Lab.
Changes to walkways and building areas to support future campus improvements. This work is expected to be completed in summer 2027.
Access, Circulation, and Construction Hours (Ongoing)
Koret Way access remains closed for pedestrian safety, with intermittent openings for pedestrians as construction and deliveries are ongoing in the area.
Expect ongoing truck activity and deliveries of materials on Koret Way.
Reminder: New emergency egress route for CSB occupants. See details below.
Pedestrian access remains open on the east side of Saunders Court.
As part of the PCCSI project, repairs on the facade of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) and interior renovations are underway for levels 1 through 7. These repairs are needed following the separation of the Clinical Sciences Building from the School of Nursing building, which was demolished to support the PCCSI development. In addition, a new entrance on the south side of CSB will connect the level 2 elevator lobby with the CSB Plaza, leading to Saunders Court.
What to Expect
Expect construction noise and vibration inside and near CSB.
Facade repairs and interior renovations will occur on levels 1-7.
On the exterior south side of CSB, expect scaffolding and shrink wrap around portions of the building.
On the exterior north side of CSB, expect scaffolding in the walkway for pedestrian protection, power washing, and painting.
Inside CSB, expect changes to pedestrian pathways as temporary construction walls will be installed inside CSB.
Please ensure to follow signage.
Occupants will be notified of any utility shutdowns and impacts.
Additional Improvements for CSB: As part of a separate project, CSB is undergoing exterior power washing and repainting along Parnassus Avenue. The exterior painting project is expected to be completed in September 2026.
Dates and times are subject to change.
Reminder: Emergency Exit Route for Clinical Sciences Building
As a reminder to Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) occupants, the building has an updated route to take during an emergency, effective April 2026. The exit route leads occupants from an exterior stairway on the south side of the building eastward through the former School of Nursing building site, which is now the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project site, out the construction gate, around Saunders Court, and up the curved path to Koret Way.
This route should only be used during an emergency, as it passes through an active PCCSI construction area.
What to Expect | Exit Route for CSB
The exit route for the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) will lead occupants from an exterior stairway on the south side of the building eastward through the former School of Nursing building site, which is now the project site, out the construction gate, around Saunders Court, and up the curved path to Koret Way.
Maps of the new emergency exit are posted in CSB.
Koret Way Closed with Intermittent Pedestrian Access
Koret Way will remain closed Monday through Friday, with intermittent pedestrian access, as a safety precaution during construction activities for the UCSF Real Estate capital project. A traffic coordinator manages vehicle gate access on Koret Way during normal business hours, and UCSF Facilities Services manages access after hours. Any future access changes along Koret Way will be communicated to the UCSF community.
Photos | Parnassus Commons Construction as of September 2026
Construction progress at the CSB Plaza, located above the fire water tank.
Looking east at the PCCSI site, showing concrete placement for the fire water tank curb.
Hillway Avenue Temporarily Closed for Crane Operations
From 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026
Hillway Avenue is scheduled to be closed Saturday, September 19, 2026, for crane activity at Medical Building 1 (ACC), 400 Parnassus Ave. The street closures are required to accommodate a large crane on Hillway Avenue for the delivery of heavy equipment. The purpose of the projects is to replace an MRI water-chilling unit and a building air-supply fan in Medical Building 1 at 400 Parnassus Ave. A crane is needed for the delivery of heavy equipment.
What to Expect:
6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, September 19: Hillway Avenue is scheduled to be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for crane activity at Medical Building 1 (ACC), 400 Parnassus Ave. at Parnassus Heights.
Vehicles exiting the parking garage in the 350 Parnassus Avenue building can exit Hillway Avenue from Carl Street.
The crosswalk on Parnassus Avenue at Hillway Avenue will remain open to pedestrians.
