UC Riverside’s new School of Medicine building project recently passed a major milestone with construction more than halfway complete.

Construction crews celebrated a topping-off of the new building last month, placing the top steel beam on the five-level structure. Many of the main elements of the concrete structure, including walls, columns, and floors, have been completed.

The School of Medicine’s Education Building II, or SOM Ed II, is more than 60% done since construction began in fall 2021 and is expected to be completed by next summer, said Sarah Sabera-Turab, project manager with the Office of Planning, Design and Construction.

“It’s a big milestone for everybody that’s working on the project,” she said.

Crew have now begun the interior build-out, laying out and installing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Other steps to follow include completing the exterior, which will feature glass, concrete, brick, and metal.

The building will have approximately 55,000 assignable square feet within 90,000 gross square feet. The design features include outdoor seating, terraces, and landscaping that will complement the surrounding buildings. 

The project is designed specifically for the school’s needs and features state-of-the-art learning facilities that support modern medical education. It includes lecture halls, classrooms, meeting rooms, study spaces, offices, and other support space. It’s the school’s largest expansion and will allow it to increase the number of students trained.

The project is the one of the most visible on campus due to the use of a 190-foot crane towering overhead. The crane has allowed the construction team to be more efficient in a tight space and hoist materials from the ground up with less disruption to neighboring buildings, Sabera-Turab said.

“It’s been a collaborative effort with everyone from the Design-Build team to the campus community working together to mitigate issues and bring about this major milestone” she said.