Ground Broken on ASU’s New Health HQ Building in Downtown Phoenix Bioscience Core

A ground-breaking ceremony was recently celebrated for Arizona State University’s new Health Headquarters building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The project team includes general contractor McCarthy Building Companies, design partners CO Architects and DFDG Architects, as well as Meyer Borgman Johnson (structural engineering), Spectrum Engineers (MEP engineering), Dibble Engineers (civil engineering), TrueForm Landscape Architecture Studio (landscape architecture), Bowman Fire & Life Safety (safety consultant), WSP USA Buildings (sustainability consultant) and NV5 (AV/IT/security consultant).

The approximately 175,000-square-foot, five-story facility being constructed in the downtown Phoenix Bioscience Core will be home to ASU’s new medical and engineering school with clinical space and two new programs that expand ASU Health’s multidisciplinary curricula. The building will house the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, which will teach future physicians how to improve patient care by blending medicine, engineering, technology and humanities; and its new School of Technology for Public Health, which will focus on the integration of digital technology and data-driven decisions, aiming to improve local public health.

Initial sitework involves the relocation of utilities, demolition and ground improvements in preparation for building foundations. The team, which is expected to consist of 300 workers at peak construction, is collaborating with the city to develop sequencing and communications plans to mitigate the disruption of traffic and pedestrian flow around this active intersection.

Structural topping out is anticipated in early 2027. The building enclosure will follow, featuring a high-performance, durable exterior composed of ultra-high-performance concrete panels, aluminum curtainwall systems and masonry — carefully selected to balance longevity, performance and architectural expression. Inside, the building will incorporate an advanced HVAC system that integrates pumps, controls and valves to efficiently deliver heating and cooling to chilled beam systems. This forward-thinking approach supports enhanced energy performance, operational flexibility and reduced lifecycle costs, aligning with ASU’s sustainability goals and commitment to innovative, high-performance design.

McCarthy is utilizing detailed 3D modeling of building systems and interior spaces to coordinate building components. Doing so allows ASU and its end-users to virtually experience the facility prior to the start of the building’s interior construction, permitting ample time for modifications to be incorporated that will aid in the learning process.

With construction expected to complete in summer 2028, classes will begin being held in the new building in fall 2028.