The Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center is the centerpiece of Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s ambitious campus revitalization. As the largest private hospital in the Twin Cities, Abbott Northwestern is nationally recognized for exceptional expertise and care, serving more than 200,000 patients and families annually from across the region. This new state-of-the-art facility will modernize surgical and critical care services, replacing outdated spaces and positioning the hospital for the next 50 years of healthcare innovation.
This project addresses several critical needs: providing advanced operating rooms, enhancing employee retention, and reducing costs associated with care and maintenance. The new building replaces aging infrastructure, consolidates relocated services, and maximizes the hospital’s remaining real estate. With 620,000 square feet of new construction and an additional 200,000 square feet of renovations, this investment reflects a commitment to improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
Facility Features
- Ten stories, 30 operating rooms, 190 inpatient rooms
- Interactive patient rooms, super-clean ORs, robotic supply distribution
- Healing gardens, improved wayfinding, single-occupancy rooms
- LEED-Silver Accredited for sustainability
- Temporary and permanent skyways, new entrance lobby
- Estimated Completion Date
August 2026
- Delivery Method
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Construction Manager at Risk
- Additional Project Facts
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620,000 Square Feet
Allina Health has a long history partnering with Mortenson to build and bring much-needed assets into the communities we serve. Our two organizations are closely aligned in our commitment to the Minneapolis community, and we are extremely excited to be partnering with Mortenson on a project of such magnitude.
Early Engagement: A Game-Changer for Design Phase Success
The design phase for the surgical and critical care center began during the pandemic, a period marked by rapid inflation and significant uncertainty. Traditionally, such circumstances would have led to multiple pauses in the design process, resulting in costly delays—each month of delay potentially increasing project costs by up to $2 million—and forcing reductions in project scope.
Mortenson’s early engagement and close partnership with the design team was critical in overcoming these challenges. By being at the table from the very start—hired simultaneously for preconstruction services along with the architect—Mortenson ensured real-time communication and collaboration. The team’s approach emphasized never pressing pause on design, even as inflation and escalation risks emerged. The team managed the budget with exceptional diligence, continuously adjusting scope to accommodate unknowns without sacrificing project goals. Mortenson implemented Target Value Delivery, treating cost as an input to design rather than a constraint, and fostered shared ownership of cost across all stakeholders. Quick feedback cycles and open, honest discussions about difficult issues enabled the team to respond rapidly to challenges.
This proactive and integrated approach minimized risk and additional costs for Allina Health, the hospital’s parent company, allowing the project to maintain momentum and avoid costly delays. The team achieved a remarkable 1% variance to target, demonstrating tight budget control and successful scope alignment. Mortenson’s involvement ensured that the project never had to pause design, avoided shrinking the scope, and delivered a well-thought-out plan that met all objectives—even in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Modular Prefabricated Wall Systems
Allina Health has committed to using prefabricated wall systems in all patient care rooms – a forward-thinking decision for adaptability for not just Allina Health but the industry as a whole. The building utilizes prefabricated modular walls, enabling rapid reconfiguration and adaptability for future care needs. In partnership with our vendor, Allina Health Mortenson, and HGA took a concept and brought it to fruition for Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute — Minneapolis—the first use for I-Occupancy in the State of Minnesota—practicing for implementation on the surgical and critical care center. Modular wall systems had never been utilized in an inpatient setting. The team showed tremendous drive and creativity to accomplish this groundbreaking initiative. Mortenson has been a partner to Allina Health, hosting tours for other health systems, showcasing this innovation as it’s not yet industry standard. The team achieved numerous code requirements and variances, setting a precedent for flexible healthcare spaces.
Innovative Operating Room Design
Allina Health incorporated High Air Change Operating Rooms (HACH ORs) into more than 30 operating rooms to reduce maintenance costs, enhance infection control, and improve comfort for both patients and surgeons. Early in the design process, the project team recognized the importance of patient safety and staff well-being, which prompted a thorough evaluation of the efficiency and function of the operating rooms. By applying lean construction principles and conducting a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis—including updates to design strategies and equipment pricing—the team identified substantial advantages in infection control, patient safety, and operational efficiency. As a result, HACH ORs were made a required feature of the new facility, reflecting Allina Health’s commitment to forward-thinking healthcare. This decision ensures that surgeons, care teams, patients, and facilities management will benefit from improved clinical outcomes and sustainable operations in the next generation of healthcare environments.
Building Communities and Careers
Mortenson’s Community Workforce Program for this project is redefining the role of construction by actively connecting local organizations and trade partners to create career pathways for underemployed and unemployed community members. Through targeted training, apprenticeships, and ongoing support, the initiative empowers individuals to build meaningful careers in the trades, fostering long-term workforce development.
Launched in partnership with Allina Health, this program is making a lasting impact both on and off the job site. By prioritizing local hiring and collaboration, Mortenson and its partners are not only constructing state-of-the-art hospital facilities but also investing in the future of the community, transforming lives and strengthening the local economy.
