Sylvester Cancer research building wins review board OK

The University of Miami’s cancer research center is expanding.

Plans for a new state-of-the-art Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center – Transformational Cancer Research Building (TCRB) were recommended for approval by the City of Miami’s Urban Development Review Board.

The university is proposing a new building consisting of medical office uses with a total floor area of 240,150 square feet.

Slated to open in 2024, the 12-story facility on the campus of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1425 NW 10th Ave., is to be a unique hub for cancer research, innovation, wellness, and patient-centered care, all under one roof.

Brian Dombrowski, an attorney representing the university, said the site plan was prepared by HOK Architects. The property is on the southeast corner of Northwest 14th Street and Northwest 10th Avenue.

He wrote: “Further, no deviations are requested for the loading requirements at the project and vehicular and loading access is provided from the secondary frontage, Northwest Ninth Street.

“The required parking for the project is provided within the University of Miami’s 15th Street Parking Garage, which has sufficient parking to accommodate the required 228 parking spaces. A warrant is requested for the shared parking,” Mr. Dombrowski said.

The TCRB will be an ultramodern patient care and research facility to support new and emerging directions in cancer treatment.

The university says it will be an iconic building, new to the South Florida skyline, that fosters collaboration and team science, attracting more top-tier researchers to the Sylvester team.

“As the only cancer center in South Florida designated by the National Cancer Institute, our mission is to pioneer groundbreaking cancer research, innovate, and advance cancer cures,” said Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and executive dean for research at the Miller School.

“To fulfill this mission, Sylvester is constructing a premier cancer research facility that will bring hope to patients in South Florida and beyond,” he said.

The university says the TCRB will harness its geographical position to work toward eliminating racial, ethnic, cultural, and other cancer care disparities.

“It is no small task to commit to both improving cancer care and addressing disparities,” said Dr. Julio Frenk, president of the University of Miami.

“We have an opportunity in Miami to design cures for different populations and amplify our impact to global communities. The TCRB will enable us to promote health access and equity, which is at the core of our research and clinical care mission as an academic health care system,” said Dr. Frenk.

Wellness and survivorship will be strongly promoted within the building, says the university. The new facility will focus on total-body wellness during cancer treatment to improve quality of life.

It will set the standard for survivorship programs that prioritize recurrence prevention for the benefit of patients and their families, the university says.

“This new building is a symbol of who we are and where we’re going as an institution. It speaks to our patients, their families, our nurses, staff, and researchers,” Dr. Nimer said.

“It speaks to everyone in the South Florida community and the worldwide cancer community, declaring how dedicated and serious we are about finding new cures for cancer,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful design,” said Urban Development Review Board Chair Ignacio Permuy. “The massing, the articulation are very well done.” He said he did have a concern about the location for patent parking and a drop-off area.

The board unanimously recommended approval with conditions: submit a new ground floor site plan for the surface parking area and valet operations, show the city sufficient stacking area and that it’s safe for pedestrians; commit to a curated art wall; and consider simplifying the canopy to show the same elegance as the rest of the building.