A Once-in-a-Generation Investment in Public Health
Harborview Medical Center is nationally recognized as a premier Level I trauma and burn center — but its role in the region extends far beyond emergency care.
It serves as a major teaching hospital for UW Medicine. It’s a regional destination for specialty care, including neurosurgery, rehabilitation, mental health, and infectious diseases. It functions as the only Level I trauma center for the surrounding communities. And it leads the way in disaster response and complex patient care across the five-state WWAMI region: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
While trauma care may be its most visible role, it represents just one piece of Harborview’s broader mission. That’s why King County voters overwhelmingly approved a $1.74 billion bond to modernize the campus—ensuring Harborview can continue to deliver exceptional care, no matter the need.
In 2025, Mortenson and Perkins&Will were selected as the program’s design-build team after an extensive competitive process—chosen for their deep healthcare expertise and collaborative approach to delivering complex medical facilities.
Together with King County and UW Medicine, we’re building for a more resilient future—one that ensures Harborview remains safe, accessible, and prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
- Delivery Method
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Progressive Design-Build
- Additional Project Facts
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Estimated Completion Date: August 2032
$1.74 Billion
New Multi-story Inpatient Medical Tower
Infrastructure Improvements
Renovations to Existing Hospital
Owner: King County
Operated By: UW Medicine
"The Right Team for the Future of Harborview"
We are thrilled to welcome this seasoned and thoughtful design-build team on board, and we cannot wait to see the new tower take shape under this partnership. Harborview Medical Center is an irreplaceable asset to King County and communities across the state. Through this work, we are ensuring that our most vulnerable residents continue to receive world-class care in modern, accessible, and sustainable facilities.
It’s an incredible honor to partner with King County and UW Medicine on a project of this magnitude and meaning. Harborview is a cornerstone of public health in the region, and we’re deeply committed to delivering a campus that reflects the strength, resilience, and compassion this community deserves.
Modernizing a Lifeline Hospital — Without Missing a Beat
Harborview serves over 16,000 patients each year in facilities originally built to 1970s standards. With just 540 beds and growing demand across trauma, behavioral health, and acute care services, the medical center urgently needed modernization. Yet its dense urban location and 24/7 operations posed a major challenge: how do you deliver large-scale improvements without disrupting critical care?
The answer: phased planning, precise sequencing, and a design-build team deeply experienced in healthcare delivery.
Throughout construction, Harborview will remain 100% operational—a testament to the coordination and care driving every phase of the program.
Building a Safer, Smarter Future
The Harborview Bond Program is a comprehensive, multi-phase initiative designed to meet today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. Key elements include:
- A new 10-story inpatient medical tower built to advanced seismic and sustainability standards
- A major expansion of the emergency department to serve increasing demand
- Infrastructure modernization to support long-term performance and resilience
Working closely with King County and UW Medicine, the design-build team is advancing a plan that will bring this vision to life while ensuring seamless care delivery throughout the process. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 or 2028, with phased work planned to keep the hospital fully operational every step of the way.
A Commitment Backed by Numbers
- $1.74 billion public investment approved by voters
- Five-state WWAMI region served by Harborview
- 10-story inpatient medical tower at the heart of the transformation
- 540+ beds modernized and expanded
- Designed to meet LEED sustainability goals
Designed for Resilience — and for the Community It Serves
At its core, this project expands access to lifesaving care for the people who need it most. The new inpatient tower will house trauma and acute care in a modern, patient-centered environment. Infrastructure improvements will support long-term reliability, while the expanded emergency department will ensure faster, more dignified care for patients in urgent need.
Elevating the Patient and Provider Experience
Every element of the program is designed to improve care delivery and support the people at the heart of Harborview:
- Modern, adaptable care spaces with improved access and flow
- Infrastructure that supports long-term system resilience
- Dignified, equitable environments for patients, staff, and visitors
Building for the Long Term
Harborview’s transformation is more than a capital program—it’s a public promise. From environmental sustainability to health equity and regional resilience, this work represents a bold, forward-looking investment in the future of care.
With voter trust, stakeholder alignment, and a deeply collaborative team, this once-in-a-generation program will ensure Harborview continues to serve as a beacon of hope, safety, and healing for decades to come.
