LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- On July 18, the University of Louisville Foundation will begin construction on a new, 170,000-square-foot pediatric medical office building. The building will be designed to house all of the UofL Physicians pediatric specialty clinical practices, with a large general pediatrics location on the ground floor. The eight-story building will have seven clinical floors, plus a lab, pharmacy and radiology services, as well as a rooftop garden and conference area.

The new building will be adjacent to the UofL Physicians Outpatient Center, located at 401 E. Chestnut St.

Planning for the building began in January 2015 and Architectural firms GBBN, Stanley, Beaman & Sears and Messer Construction Co. have been engaged since June 2015.

“This will be the premier pediatrics care building for children in the state of Kentucky,” said Dr. Gerard Rabalais, chair of the UofL Department of Pediatrics. “This will allow parents easy access to pediatrics specialists and primary care providers in one location, with everything designed specifically for children and their families. It is our intent that through this new facility, we will be building the future of pediatric care for years to come.”

An official groundbreaking ceremony with more details on the overall vision for the building is scheduled for fall.