Approval Paves the Way for Construction of the Region's Only Freestanding Inpatient Cancer Hospital and the Dana-Farber Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Collaboration
BOSTON – The Boston Planning and Development Agency Board (BPDA) voted unanimously to approve the designs for Dana-Farber's new 300-bed inpatient cancer hospital. BPDA's approval is the culmination of a rigorous, 18-month large project review process that included significant public engagement.
First announced in September 2023, the new inpatient building will be the region's only dedicated inpatient cancer hospital, and will be supported by a clinical collaboration among Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC (HMFP). The hospital will span 450,000 square feet across 10 inpatient floors, offering an enhanced patient experience focused solely on the needs of oncology patients. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to adapt to rapid advances in oncology care, meet the growing incidence of cancer and ensure timely access to care.
"We appreciate the rigorous and comprehensive approval process with the BPDA for the design of our new cancer hospital over many months. This significant milestone will benefit Boston residents and help elevate cancer care locally and globally, ensuring world-leading treatment is accessible to all who need it," said Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert, President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Known the world over for delivering revolutionary science and expert, highly specialized care, Dana-Farber will operate the new hospital under its license issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Together with BIDMC and HMFP, Dana-Farber will continue to lead the way in advancing a patient-first care model, minimizing treatment barriers, enhancing patient access to clinical trials and continuing innovative treatment protocols for patients living with the burden of cancer. The joint clinical teams anticipate welcoming the first oncology patients in 2031.
"This new cancer hospital and our clinical cancer collaboration with Dana-Farber will transform how we care for patients and families impacted by cancer and allow us to harness the extraordinary power of scientific innovation in new and important ways. We are proud to be working together to make the region's only free-standing inpatient hospital for adult cancer patients," said Pete Healy, President of BIDMC and Beth Israel Lahey Health's Divisional President for Metro Boston.
Located on the current site of Joslin Diabetes Center along Brookline Avenue in the Longwood Medical Area, the new cancer hospital will physically connect Dana-Farber with BIDMC, fostering a seamless patient experience. Joslin, which is part of Beth Israel Lahey Health and is world-renowned for its deep expertise in diabetes care, education and research, is in the process of relocating to BIDMC's East Campus and the Center for Life Sciences.
