It seems like just yesterday it was late March 2011, and South Bay residents,
community leaders and California dignitaries were picking up shovels to
break ground on the
Lundquist Tower that would serve to expand services provided by Torrance Memorial’s
original Lomita Boulevard Central Tower built in 1971.
Today construction is winding down on Torrance Memorial’s state-of-the-art
Lundquist Tower, with a patient move-in date scheduled for November 16.
The 390,000-square-foot, $480,000 million facility will feature seven
stories and offer 256 private patient rooms—a vast improvement over
the current hospital tower that offers mostly double-occupancy rooms.
According to director of construction, Connie Senner, the tower was designed
to give patients and visitors a hotel-like experience, with plenty of
natural light, a peaceful healing garden, soothing water features, commissioned
artwork and “neutral” design features to prevent it from looking
dated as the years go by.
Here is a preview of how the Lundquist Tower is shaping up.
1. A test run of one of several water features that will greet visitors
at the new tower’s south entrance.
2. The Healing Garden located between the Lundquist Tower and North Wing
features seating, water-efficient landscaping, fountains, and sun and shade.
3. Admitting/Pre-Testing offers enclosed areas to maximize patient and
visitor privacy.
4. The Grand Lobby Information Desk that will greet visitors upon arrival.
5. The gift shop will feature a welcoming, glass-walled entrance designed
in the spirit of Hudson News.
6. The Lundquist Tower’s 12 operating room suites are 35% larger
than the older operating room suites in the existing hospital, to accommodate
the most advanced equipment.
7. One of the many Visitor Lounge areas where friends and family members
can relax during a loved one’s care.
8. A coffee kiosk will offer salads, sandwiches and other “grab-and-go”
dining options.
9. Patient rooms will be 30% larger than in the existing hospital and will
feature a comfortable visitor chair with a tablet arm for use with electronic
devices. Each room will include a 40-inch, high-definition TV monitor
that also serves as a computer.
10. The Imaging/Radiology Department will feature seven pre-testing examination
rooms, along with a new MRI machine, one CT scanning unit and three ultrasound rooms.
11. The Lundquist Tower Café will offer indoor seating for 150 and
outdoor seating for 50 in a covered patio area.
12. The Pre-Op Care Unit features 18 bays that are located on the exterior,
“windowed” side of the hospital . Both Pre-Op and Post-Op
allow space for families to remain present with their loved ones during
and following surgery.