University of Chicago building city's first freestanding cancer care, research center

CHICAGO (CBS)-- The University of Chicago broke ground Tuesday on the city's first freestanding cancer care and research facility. 

University of Chicago Medicine's Comprehensive Cancer Center is being built at the corner of 57th and Drexel, on what is currently a surface parking lot on the sprawling hospital campus.

The 575,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility is expected to open in 2027.

Currently, UChicago Medicine's cancer care and research team of more than 200 people works in more than five different buildings on the Hyde Park campus.

It's hoped that by having services, research, and education all under the same roof, the cancer center will help develop UChicago Medicine new treatments faster.

"The cancer facility needs more than just treatments and medication for when someone is sick. It should also be a place where we help our community stay well," said Dr. Nita Lee, assistant director of outreach and engagement for the new cancer center.

Once completed, the $815 million center will have 80 private beds, 90 exam rooms, a breast cancer center, and dedicated clinical trial spaces. It will have capacity for up to 200,000 outpatient visits and 5,000 inpatient admissions per year.