Tulane Leads $500 Million Redevelopment of New Orleans’ Historic Charity Hospital

Tulane University is spearheading a $500 million project to convert the long-vacant Charity Hospital building—shut after Hurricane Katrina in 2005—into a downtown biomedical research hub. Construction is slated to begin in the fall, with the new facility expected to be operational by 2029.

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

Charity Hospital, founded in 1736, was the second-oldest continuously operating public hospital in the United States and served New Orleans for more than 250 years. Hurricane Katrina flooded the lower levels in 2005, leading to its closure. Subsequent attempts to revive the site faltered; LSU deemed the damage irreparable, a judgment disputed by some former staff and community members. The city later opened University Medical Center New Orleans, a privately operated facility built with federal disaster funds.

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• Michael Fitts – President, Tulane University

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• Helena Moreno – Mayor of New Orleans

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• Robin Forman – Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Tulane

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• Dr. Lee Hamm – Dean, Tulane University School of Medicine

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• 2005 – Hurricane Katrina floods Charity Hospital; building closed.

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• 2018 – LSU Real Estate and Facilities Foundation awards revitalization effort to developer 1532 Tulane Holdco, estimating costs at $250 million.

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• June 2026 – Tulane announces it will assume ownership and lead the $500 million redevelopment.

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• Fall 2026 – Construction on the biomedical hub is scheduled to start.

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• 2029 – Project slated for completion, creating space for research, labs, and classrooms.

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• Building size: roughly one million square feet.

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• Original capacity: 2,680 beds.

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• Economic impact: projected $530 million annual contribution; 7,300 construction-phase jobs and $10.5 million in state tax revenue.

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• Post-completion: more than 2,400 permanent jobs and facilities for about 700 researchers; Tulane aims to raise annual research spending to $400 million.

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• “Everyone was exhibiting a lot of courage at the moment,” — Dr. Lee Hamm, dean of the Tulane University School of Medicine

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

• “Charity Hospital came to symbolize this city’s enduring commitment to public health. I am pleased that this powerful legacy will continue, as this new space becomes a modern monument to that same mission,” — Robin Forman, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• Cost Estimates: The 2018 award cited a $250 million budget, while the current plan is $500 million, reflecting inflation and pandemic-related delays.

‘A modern monument’: Tulane to lead $500 million Charity Hospital redevelopment • The Tulane Hullabaloo

• Reopening Viability: LSU’s 2005 assessment that the building was too damaged to reopen was contested by unnamed former staff and community members, but no detailed alternative feasibility study has been publicly released.

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover

The transformation of Charity Hospital into a biomedical hub aims to restore the site’s historic role as a public-health anchor while positioning New Orleans as a center for medical innovation. By integrating research labs, startup incubators, and educational spaces, the project seeks to generate economic activity and expand health-care expertise across the Gulf South.

Beloved New Orleans hospital, wracked by floods and grief in Hurricane Katrina, to get a makeover