Parnassus Heights Monthly Construction Update | October 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 October 2026. Dates and details are subject to change.
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 construction advances on level 6 of the future Helen Diller Hospital, adjacent to the existing hospital.
Helen Diller Hospital Construction Advances to Level 6
Construction continues to advance on the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital (HDH), with structural steel now reaching level 6 of the future hospital. Crews are finishing work on the south side of level 5 and progressing toward the north side of level 6, while steel erection will continue through mid-2027.
In the basement, concrete work has resumed around the structural steel column baseplates and shear walls, helping strengthen the building’s structural and seismic support system.
Preparation for elevated concrete floor pours is underway, and concrete placement will begin mid-October.
Construction also continues in and around Long and Moffitt hospitals to support connections between the existing hospitals and the future HDH. At Long Hospital, overnight work is planned through mid-November, while other construction activities will continue on weekends at the HDH site and along Medical Center Way.
The HDH team continues to coordinate project activities with hospital operations.
Weekend work includes installing steel decking and mechanical equipment at the HDH site. Equipment and materials will continue to move along Medical Center Way and Parnassus Avenue as hospital construction progresses.
What to Expect During Construction | HDH | October 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.
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.
Access along Medical Center Way and to the Moffitt/Long hospital loading dock may be temporarily affected while this work is underway.
Dates and details are 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 October 2026
Crews continue construction of basement shear walls to support the Helen Diller Hospital’s structural and seismic systems in October 2026.
Crews prepare to lower a ductwork riser into the Helen Diller Hospital by tower crane as mechanical systems installation advances in October 2026.
Crews install ductwork risers as structural steel erection continues on the Helen Diller Hospital in October 2026.
Welders connect structural steel columns above the level 2 main entry as construction of the Helen Diller Hospital continues in October 2026.
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.
Exterior work continues on the northwest side of the Bakar Research and Academic Building as the building enclosure nears completion in October 2026.
Bakar Research and Academic Building Enclosed Amid Tower Crane Removal
Construction continues to advance on the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB). With exterior enclosure nearly complete, and interior buildout progressing throughout the building, the project team will begin removing the site’s tower crane.
Removal of the tower crane marks a major construction milestone, signaling that most of the building’s heavy structural work is complete. Koret Way is scheduled to be closed to pedestrians from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11, 2026, for the 230-foot-tall tower crane removal. The tower crane, which supported the construction of the building’s structure for more than a year, stands at 278 feet tall with the crane's jib (boom extension).
Plans are for a 450-ton mobile crane to remove the tower crane on campus. Following the crane removal, the mobile crane will remain on-site through October 23 to support additional work, including closing the structural opening left by the tower crane. This will impact pedestrian access on Koret Way (see details below).
On the building’s exterior, crews are continuing to install glazing panels on the west side of level 4, following work on the south and east sides. Level 4 is expected to be fully enclosed in October 2026. The level 2 entry area will remain as the building’s last open area, and crews will begin closing that portion of the building.
Interior buildout is underway on all levels. This work includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installation, fireproofing, elevator framing, and interior framing.
In late 2026, permanent underground utility installation is expected to begin on Parnassus Avenue near Third and Fourth avenues. Traffic impacts are expected through early 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. More details will be shared when finalized.
What to Expect During Construction | BRAB Project | October 2026
Tower Crane Removal in Early October
A 450-ton mobile crane is scheduled to mobilize from October 8 – 11, 2026, to support the removal of the BRAB tower crane. The crane will remain on-site through October 23, 2026, to support additional work, including closing the opening left by the tower crane.
Pedestrian access on Koret Way will be affected by the removal of a tower crane from the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) and a crane on the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project to support the creation of the new pedestrian connection.
Friday, October 9, – Sunday, October 11: Koret Way will be closed to pedestrians from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. while crews remove a tower crane from the BRAB site.
Monday, October 12, – Friday, October 23: Pedestrian access on Koret Way will be intermittently available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, depending on activity.
Monday, October 26 – December 2026: Pedestrian access on Koret Way will remain limited per the access schedule posted here.
Pedestrians must follow signage and flaggers directing traffic. Expect delays.
If you use Koret Way for deliveries, please provide other accommodations.
Emergency access from the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) will remain open.
Late 2026 – Early 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. Details will be shared when finalized.
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.
Low noise levels are expected during the day.
Clinical Sciences Building Level 7 Demolition
Now – January 2027: Demolition is underway 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 renovation project is expected to be completed in early 2028.
Construction noise is anticipated during demolition in the area 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.
CSB façade repairs and interior renovations on levels 1 through 7 are planned through December 2026, where the building was previously connected to the UCSF School of Nursing building, which has been demolished.
Exterior Façade and Curtain Wall Installation (Nearly Complete)
The level 2 entry area will remain as the building’s last open area, and crews will begin closing that portion of the building.
Interior Buildout and Systems Installation (Ongoing)
Active work on all floors, including Level 10
Morning Deliveries (Ongoing)
Expect ongoing weekly morning deliveries for materials for interior buildout work and finishes on Koret Way. Koret Way remains restricted to pedestrians. See the section on Koret Way for details.
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.
A Traffic Ambassador is supporting the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on Parnassus Avenue to facilitate major capital projects and campus operations.
Dates and details are subject to change.
Meet the Operator Behind the BRAB Tower Crane
Dylan Fagundes from the tower crane cab at the Bakar Research and Academic Building at UCSF Parnassus Heights. Photo by Dylan.
For nearly two years, Dylan Fagundes has climbed hundreds of feet above Parnassus Heights to help build the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB). With the tower crane now coming down, meet the operator behind one of the project’s most visible features and see Parnassus Heights from his unique vantage point.
Koret Way Pedestrian Access Changes for Crane Removal
Pedestrian access on Koret Way will be affected by the removal of a tower crane from the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) and a crane on the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project to support the creation of the new pedestrian connection.
What to Expect
Friday, October 9, – Sunday, October 11: Koret Way will be closed to pedestrians from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. while crews remove a tower crane from the BRAB site.
Monday, October 12, – Friday, October 23: Pedestrian access on Koret Way will be intermittently available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, depending on activity.
Monday, October 26 – December 2026: Pedestrian access on Koret Way will remain limited per the access schedule posted below.
Pedestrians must follow signage and flaggers directing traffic. Expect delays.
If you use Koret Way for deliveries, please provide other accommodations.
Emergency access from the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) will remain open.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, this schedule will resume for pedestrian access on Koret Way.
An alternate pedestrian route will be available around the Koret Way closure near the Bakar Research and Academic Building during scheduled construction activities in October 2026.Demolition Underway in Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), Level 7
Demolition is underway on level 7 of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), where CSB connects to BRAB, in preparation for interior improvements to support future research activity and connectivity between the two buildings.
The renovation project on CSB level 7 is expected to be completed in early 2028. A bridge connecting CSB and BRAB is also under construction.
What to Expect
Construction noise is anticipated during demolition in the area 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.
CSB façade repairs and interior renovations on levels 1 through 7 are planned through December 2026, where the building was previously connected to the UCSF School of Nursing building, which has been demolished.
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.
Rendering looking east from the Bakar Research and Academic Building bridge showing the future Parnassus Commons and planned improvements to the outdoor space.
Upcoming Crane Mobilization for Parnassus Commons
Construction continues to advance on the Parnassus Central Campus Site Improvements (PCCSI) project, also known as Parnassus Commons, with several significant milestones marking progress across the site.
Crews have finished waterproofing the new fire water tank south of the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), a major piece of infrastructure that will provide a tertiary fire water supply to the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) in emergencies. Testing, activation, and commissioning of the fire water tank are forthcoming.
Next, the project is preparing for a major crane operation that will remain on site through December 2026 to install the elevated walkway and other infrastructure. This work will pave the way for additional landscaping, including the planting of more than 100 trees throughout Parnassus Commons. Landscaping and the installation of walkways are expected to begin in late October 2026.
Elsewhere on the site, crews continue concrete placement for columns supporting the elevated walkways and the buttress wall, and backfilling. Utility demolition near the Health Sciences West and East towers is nearing completion.
In the nearby Clinical Sciences Building (CSB), workers have completed exterior demolition to support repairs to the building’s facade, where it previously connected to the now-demolished former UCSF School of Nursing building. Exterior framing, façade repairs, and interior renovations are ongoing. CSB occupants will continue to hear intermittent construction noise through December 2026.
The PCCSI project remains on track to be completed in spring 2027, transforming the former UCSF School of Nursing building site and nearby areas into a new central campus plaza and promenade with connections to surrounding buildings.
What to Expect During Construction | PCCSI | October 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.
Fire Water Tank Construction Nearly Complete
Structural work on the new fire water tank near CSB is complete. Structural work and waterproofing are complete. The associated fire pump controls room still needs to be energized, with testing, activation, and commissioning to follow.
The tank will provide a tertiary fire water supply to the Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) in emergencies.
Remaining activities may generate some daytime construction noise.
Crane Activity and Koret Way Pedestrian Access
An upcoming crane operation will support the installation of the elevated walkway and other infrastructure, allowing subsequent landscaping work to move forward.
Monday, October 26 – December 2026: Pedestrian access on Koret Way will remain limited per the access schedule posted below.
Pedestrians must follow signage and flaggers directing traffic. Expect delays.
If you use Koret Way for deliveries, please provide other accommodations.
Emergency access from the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) will remain open.
Crews will continue pouring concrete for elevated walkway columns and buttress walls.
Crews will import soil, and grading will occur over several days. Minimal impacts are expected from this work.
Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) Level 1-7 Work Ongoing
Now – Late 2026: Facade repairs and interior renovations continue on levels 1-7, with more extensive interior work continuing with a portion of level 2 for mechanical and framing work.
Expect construction noise and vibration inside and near CSB.
On level 2, localized, mobile cooling units have been provided during this work to help maintain conditions in the area.
Please ensure to follow signage.
Occupants will be notified of any utility shutdowns through UCSF Facilities Services.
Utility and Mechanical Work Near HSW and HSE Towers
Utility trenching is nearing completion in an area south of Health Sciences West (HSW) and west of Health Sciences East (HSE), known as the Hooper Pad.
Additional electrical and demolition work at Hooper Pad is planned for December 2026 through February 2027.
Landscaping and Future Work
Site grading and elevated walkway installation are upcoming.
102 trees are planned throughout Parnassus Commons, with tree planting expected to begin in late 2026.
Larger trees and other landscape elements will be installed as work on the elevated walkway advances.
