Patients at Toronto’s Bridgepoint Hospital are moving into a newly constructed, state-of-the-art building today, located next door on the site of the former Don Jail.
The move, which Bridgepoint officials have dubbed as a move "from a site of incarceration to a site of innovation," is expected to take up to 10 hours and each patient transfer will likely take less than 10 minutes.
The landmark 10-storey, mirrored building overlooks the Don Valley River and nearby Riverdale Park, and is located just west of Broadview and Gerrard. The building, which will officially open in June, will house patients with chronic disease and disability.
With a total budget of $1.2 billion, the new Bridgepoint Hospital is being billed as a pioneering example of innovative patient care.
Designed by a large team of architects from Diamond Schmitt, HDR, KPMB and Stantec, Bridgepoint features an open architectural concept, floor-to-ceiling windows, large terraces and common rooms, and an expansive outdoor green space that is integrated with Riverdale Park and the Lower Don Trail.
The goal is to make the facility feel less like a hospital and more like part of the community.
"Bridgepoint provides active healthcare – an integrated approach to managing, treating, researching and teaching best practices for those living with multiple, complex health conditions," reads a statement sent last month.
Construction of the 462-bed facility began in fall 2009. The project preserves key parts of the former pre-confederation jail, which will now function as Bridgepoint’s administration building.
Visitors will not be permitted into the new building during the move but hospital officials will post updates throughout the day on their website.
