Columbia University School of Nursing Tops Off New Building

More than 75 students, alumni, faculty, and other members of the Columbia University community gathered to sign the last beam and watch as it was lifted into place to complete the steel structure.

The new building will be constructed at 168th Street and Audubon Avenue, a few blocks from its current facility, located at 617 W. 168th Street in the Washington Heights neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. Among the seven-story structure’s many features will be a sunlit atrium lobby, rooftop garden terrace, and a two-floor, state-of-the-art simulation center equipped with lifelike mannequins that imitate real-life medical conditions giving students the opportunity to learn skills in a safe, educational environment.

“What was once a dream is getting very close to reality,” said Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean of Columbia University School of Nursing and Sr. Vice President, Columbia University Medical Center. "We have a bold vision for Columbia Nursing and our new building will enable us to bring it to fruition. This would have been impossible within our current environment, but with this new building our environment for students, faculty, and the community will be exquisite. It will give us flexible space to promote collaboration, a glass-enclosed, state-of-the art simulation center, space for research, and a place for study and interaction.”

Designed by award-winning architectural firm CO|FXFOWLE to target LEED Gold certification, the new building will also feature flexible areas accommodating either large or small group learning, as well as students seeking space for individual study. 

“With this new building, visitors will know they are on a campus in addition to a healthcare facility,” said Berkowitz. “With the new Medical Education building anchoring the West side of the campus and Nursing anchoring the East side, the entire campus will come alive.This building will serve not only our teaching, research, and clinical mission, but our community as well. Inside this building a story will be told about the incredible history of Columbia Nursing and the story of our future, our discoveries, and our mission. We want our neighbors to feel part of that history and future.”

For more photos from the topping off ceremony, and of members of the Columbia Nursing community signing the beam, click here.