Why does MSK need to add the Pavilion now?

In New York City, 40,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed annually. By 2050, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that cancer cases will rise by nearly 50 percent, which could mean more than 60,000 cases each year in New York City alone.

The number of young people diagnosed with cancer, including colon, stomach, and breast cancers, is rising. With advances in medicine, people will also live longer over the next century, requiring more complex health care as they live longer with cancer.

These projections tell us it will be more demanding to treat cancer in the future. There will be more people who have cancer, and the complexity of care will increase.

While Memorial Hospital at 68th Street and York Avenue continues to function at capacity, it is critical that Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) build the Pavilion so that we have space to treat even more complex cancer cases in the future. In the Pavilion, we will be able to increase our capacity for surgeries at the hospital and make room to house the advanced equipment and technologies we will need in the future. These changes will let us treat more people with cancer in the future, and more complex cancer cases.

The Pavilion will be a new, state-of-the-art cancer care facility on MSK’s main campus, built entirely within MSK’s existing footprint on York Avenue between East 66th and 67th Streets. It is specifically designed to address the cancer care challenges of the future when cancer care will be even more complex.

How did you select the Pavilion site?

The Pavilion will serve as an extension of Memorial Hospital, connected via a two-story enclosed patient bridge over 67th street. This intentional design will ensure total integration with Memorial Hospital, guaranteeing the highest quality of care and safety for our patients.

When fully operational, the bridge will provide an efficient route to move critically ill patients, equipment, and faculty between Memorial Hospital and the Pavilion.

How many beds will the Pavilion hold?

The Pavilion will be entirely devoted to patient care, featuring 28 operating suites and 206 single-occupancy inpatient beds. This will support the projected influx of new patients requiring complex cancer care in the future.

Plans for the Pavilion have been carefully designed around the expected cancer needs of the future. Based on projections from the CDC, MSK will require an additional 28 operating rooms and 206 patient beds at minimum to address the rise in cases projected in the coming decades. The additional square footage, facilities, and advanced technology we incorporate into the Pavilion will ensure that Memorial Sloan Kettering can meet the evolving needs of aging cancer patients and provide high-quality care for generations to come.

What is the timeline for construction of the Pavilion?

We currently expect construction of the Pavilion to be completed by 2030. Please visit the Pavilion Construction Notices page for more information.

Will patient care be disrupted by construction of the Pavilion?

Patient care will not be disrupted by construction of the Pavilion. The health, safety, and continued care of our patients and staff will always be our top priority, and we are working closely with the community, City, State, and other stakeholders to ensure minimal disruption to our hospital and community.

Memorial Hospital will remain operational throughout the duration of construction.

What impacts will construction have on the community?

As with all of our construction projects, our priority is to minimize any disruptions for our community, our employees, and the patients we serve. We are working diligently with our local elected officials and community members to design a construction plan with safeguards in place to mitigate impacts of construction throughout the duration of the project.

We will continue to engage with all constituents as the project progresses to ensure that we hear your concerns and incorporate feedback into our plans. We invite you to track updates to construction here, relay concerns to our construction hotline at 212-639-4444, and collaborate with our construction working group.

Where can I direct my questions about the Pavilion project?

We are committed to engaging with our community throughout the planning and construction of the Pavilion. Please contact our community engagement team at communityaffairs@mskcc.org with questions or concerns, or call our construction hotline at 212-639-4444.