Parnassus Heights Monthly Construction Update | Summer 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 summer 2026. Dates and details are subject to change.
Summmer 2026 Highlights
Helen Diller Hospital: Structural steel work advancing
Bakar Research and Academic Building: Building enclosure wrapping up and interior work underway
Parnassus Commons: Site preparation and infrastructure improvements continue
Structural steel installation advances at the connection point between the existing hospital and the new Helen Diller Hospital, marking an important step in creating a continuous, integrated facility. Photo taken in July 2026.
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.
Structural Steel Work Advances as the Future Hospital Takes Shape
Construction of the Helen Diller Hospital (HDH) is continuing this summer in the structural steel phase, a significant milestone in building UCSF's future hospital.
Steel erection will continue through mid-2027, providing the framework that supports the building's long-term structural integrity and seismic resilience.
Crews are also preparing to begin slab-on-metal-deck concrete pours in August 2026, marking the next phase of vertical construction.
Work is expected to occur approximately 12 hours per day, six days per week as the project continues to advance.
What to Expect During Construction | Summer 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.
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.
The construction team will use box fans and other odor-control measures to help direct fumes away from air intakes and minimize impacts on the hospital environment.
Reporting Questions or Concerns:
Staff and Providers
Operational questions: Notify your manager to coordinate appropriate follow-up.
Immediate patient care impacts (24/7): Call 415-353-1120 for immediate triage.
General facilities requests: Submit a work order
August 7-14: Expect Delays on Medical Center Way; Netting and Lane Adjustments (Ongoing)
Drivers should expect intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes on Medical Center Way between August 7-14, 2026.
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.
Weekend closures continue. During closures, only emergency and authorized transport vehicles may pass.
Dates and details subject to change.
Extended Hours: Above-Grade Structural Concrete
The HDH project is in the early stages of vertical construction which is expected to continue through summer 2027. During this phase, extended work hours are required to support two critical activities: 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):
5:00 – 8:00 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.
8:00 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.
5:00 – 8:30 p.m. “not noisy” work“
Not noisy” general structural steel work finishes.
Cooling large seismic-resistive steel columns, site breakdown.
Starting August 2026: 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 Summer 2026
A box column splice is installed as part of the Helen Diller Hospital's structural frame. This critical connection contributes to the building's seismic stability system, helping the structure perform during seismic events. Photo taken in July 2026.
Construction crews assemble the structural cantilevers extending from the Helen Diller Hospital over Medical Center Way. These cantilevered elements will protect the roadway during steel installation. Photo taken in July 2026.
The cantilever extending from the Helen Diller Hospital over Medical Center Way is shown with temporary protective netting installed below the work area to help safeguard vehicles and pedestrians during construction. Photo taken in July 2026.
An overhead view of the Helen Diller Hospital construction site highlights the project's progress, including the advancing structural steel frame and ongoing work across the building footprint. Photo taken in July 2026.
A northwest view of the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB), highlighting the building's exterior design and its presence within the UCSF campus. Edited image.
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.
Building Enclosure Progresses While Interior Construction Moves Forward
Construction continues to advance on the Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) as crews work toward completing the building enclosure.
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 is scheduled to begin on Parnassus Avenue near Fourth Avenue. Traffic impacts are expected, 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
Exterior Façade and Curtain Wall Installation (Ongoing)
Continued installation on level 2 on the north side and level 4 along the south side.
As work progresses, some construction noise and lift activity are expected to decrease, particularly on the south side
Tower crane removal is targeted for late September 2026
Interior Buildout and Systems Installation (Ongoing)
Active work on all floors, including Level 10
Utility Work with Swing Shift Hours (August 2026)
Permanent utility installation along Parnassus between Third and Fourth avenues during shifts is scheduled to start in late August 2026.
Expect intermittent construction activities. Traffic control will be onsite during this work to support safety for pedestrians and vehicles.
Work includes piping installation and backfilling, with a small crew and lower noise levels compared to daytime construction.
Morning Deliveries (Ongoing)
Expect weekly morning deliveries (typically Tuesday or Wednesday) for façade materials into 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.
Video: How UCSF Designed an Academic Research Building Inspired by San Francisco's Nature
Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) Construction for BRAB
July 2026: About a dozen CSB occupants on floor 6 on the west side of the building returned to the area following the completion of fire-rated window installation.
Now – Early 2028: A partial renovation of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) is scheduled on the west and north sides of level 7, where the building connects to BRAB. 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.
Photos | BRAB Construction as of Summer 2026
Construction progresses on Level 7 of the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB), where structural framing and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems are being installed to prepare the floor for future interior work.
Exterior glazing installation progresses on Level 3 of the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) at the south elevation, advancing the building envelope and moving the project closer to enclosure.
Construction crews perform stud welding in preparation for shotcrete wall installation at the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB). This work supports the structural wall system as construction advances. Photo taken summer 2026.
Framing work progresses in a Level 2 wet laboratory at the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB), preparing the space for future installation of building systems and laboratory infrastructure. Photo taken summer 2026.
Camera view of the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) construction site, showing ongoing work and overall project progress during summer 2026.
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 at the former School of Nursing building site. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
Site Preparation and Infrastructure Improvements Continue
Construction at the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) site continues to support the long-term transformation of UCSF's west campus.
Current efforts are focused on improvements to the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) and the utility infrastructure that will serve future campus development. Following the demolition of the former School of Nursing building and completion of major site preparation activities, crews are advancing utility connections between CSB, Health Sciences West (HSW), and the new Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB).
Work has also begun to repair the CSB façade, where it was previously connected to the School of Nursing building. Interior improvements, including elevator lobby renovations and construction of a new entrance connecting to the future CSB plaza, are underway.
What to Expect During Construction | Parnassus Commons
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 where feasible.
August 2026: Fire Water Tank Installation
Completing backfill and smaller activities south of CSB
Utility Trenching (Ongoing)
Active trenching for chilled water, fire water, and domestic water systems
Work Near Health Sciences West and Clinical Sciences Building (Ongoing)
Construction behind Health Sciences West (HSW) and the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) to install new system components, including pumps
Future removal of older infrastructure once new systems are operational
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
Access, Circulation, and Construction Hours (Ongoing)
Koret Way access remains closed for pedestrian safety, with intermittent openings for pedestrians as construction operations and truck deliveries continue on the roadway.
Reminder: New emergency egress route for CSB occupants. See details below.
Pedestrian access remains open on the east side of Saunders Court.
Construction schedule graphic illustrating key milestones and planned activities for the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project as of summer 2026.Clinical Sciences Building Facade Repairs & Interior Renovations
As part of the PCCSI project, repairs on the facade of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) and interior renovations will take place on Levels 1 through 7. These improvements are needed following the separation of the Clinical Sciences Building from the School of Nursing building, which was demolished to support the PCCSI development.
Facade repairs include installing new windows. Interior renovations will occur on levels 1-7.
A new entrance on the south side of CSB will connect the Level 2 elevator lobby with the CSB Plaza, leading to Saunders Court.
Occupants will be notified of any Facilities shutdowns impacts.
As part of a separate improvement project, CSB is undergoing exterior power washing, repainting, and canopy replacements. The painting project is expected to be completed in August 2026. The canopy replacement project started on July 27, 2026.
What to Expect During CSB Repairs
Expect some noise and vibration inside and near CSB.
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.
During the canopy replacement, expect one set of the two doors to be closed from CSB to Parnassus Avenue on the north and to Saunders Court on the south to be closed during the canopy replacements. Access will always be open to CSB on both sides.
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 Summer 2026
North-facing view of the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) construction site, highlighting ongoing work and project progress during Summer 2026.
Construction crews prepare chilled water piping for installation as part of the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project. The piping will support the campus utility infrastructure. Photo taken summer 2026.
View looking west across the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project area, showing the location formerly occupied by the School of Nursing building as site work continues. Photo taken summer 2026.
Map showing the operating zones for the Parnassus Heights Traffic Ambassador Program (TAP), highlighting key locations where Ambassadors support wayfinding, monitor traffic conditions, and support safe access during ongoing construction. Summer 2026.
Other Construction Updates
New Traffic Ambassador Program Helps Keep Parnassus Moving
To help maintain safe and reliable access during ongoing construction, UCSF launched the Traffic Ambassador Program (TAP) on August 3, 2026, at Parnassus Heights.
Traffic Ambassadors are stationed along Parnassus Avenue, from 5th Avenue to Willard Street, on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist with wayfinding, monitor traffic conditions, and help resolve access issues as they arise.
Working closely with construction and campus operations teams, the program is designed to reduce construction-related disruptions, improve safety, and keep pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, hospital operations, and emergency services moving efficiently throughout the Parnassus Heights campus.
