UCSD Hillcrest Medical Campus Redevelopment Phase I Earns ENR 2026 Best Project Award
The UC San Diego Health Hillcrest Medical Campus Redevelopment Phase I project has been recognized by Engineering News-Record (ENR) West as the 2026 Southern California Best Project in the Health Care category, highlighting one of the region's most significant healthcare construction achievements. The award acknowledges the project's exceptional collaboration, innovation, construction quality, and ability to successfully deliver a complex healthcare facility while maintaining uninterrupted operations on an active medical campus.
Phase I serves as the cornerstone of UC San Diego Health's long-term transformation of the Hillcrest campus. Completed in 2025, the project delivered a new 251,000-square-foot outpatient pavilion, a 10-level parking structure with approximately 1,850 stalls, and a central utilities plant designed to support future campus expansion. The facility significantly expands patient access to advanced specialty care services including oncology, neurology, orthopedics, radiology, surgery, infusion therapy, and women's health programs, reinforcing UC San Diego Health's commitment to serving the growing healthcare needs of the San Diego region.
As the mechanical and plumbing contractor, A.O. Reed played a critical role in delivering the infrastructure necessary to support this state-of-the-art healthcare environment. The mechanical scope included installing five air handling units producing approximately 300,000 CFM, specialized imaging and treatment support systems, heat recovery chillers, cooling towers, steam systems, VRF systems, and complex ventilation systems serving advanced medical spaces. The plumbing team installed extensive domestic water, natural gas, medical gas, and specialty systems throughout the facility, ensuring reliable operation for both patient care and critical building functions.
Healthcare construction presents unique challenges, requiring precise coordination, stringent safety standards, and uninterrupted support for ongoing hospital operations. Throughout construction, the project team successfully managed work on an active medical campus while prioritizing patient safety, minimizing disruptions, and maintaining continuous healthcare services. This collaborative approach between UC San Diego Health, DPR Construction, design partners, and specialty trade contractors contributed significantly to the project's successful delivery and ultimate recognition by ENR.
The ENR award reflects more than technical excellence; it recognizes a project that will have a lasting impact on the San Diego community. As the first phase of a multi-year campus transformation, the new outpatient pavilion improves access to world-class healthcare, supports future growth, and lays the foundation for continued innovation in patient care. For A.O. Reed, the recognition underscores the value of delivering high-performance mechanical and plumbing systems that help create environments where healthcare providers can operate efficiently and patients can receive exceptional care.
UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center Phase I
The UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center Phase I project constructed a new 251,000-square-foot outpatient facility, including four stories above ground and two below ground. This design-assist project also constructed a 10-level parking structure providing 1,850 stalls. The first phase also includes a 9,000-square-foot central utilities plant to support the outpatient facility.