St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is laying the groundwork for the most ambitious building project in its history—a towering 16-story research facility that will shape the future of pediatric care and innovation in Memphis.
A newly filed $43.8 million construction permit with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development marks the beginning of foundational work for the Advanced Research Center II (ARC II). Once completed, the facility will stand 865,000 square feet tall, making it the largest building ever constructed by the world-renowned institution.
Though St. Jude has yet to publicly comment on the development, recently filed documents shed light on the team leading this major project. Mississippi-based Yates Construction will serve as the general contractor, alongside design firm Elkus Manfredi Architects out of Boston and Lakeland-based engineering firm Chad Stewart & Associates. While both Yates and Chad Stewart & Associates have contributed to major Memphis-area builds in the past, Elkus Manfredi marks a new player in the local architectural scene. The firm brings deep experience from nationally recognized projects, including research campuses, corporate headquarters, and even the Boston Celtics’ training center.
This monumental facility will rise at the northeastern edge of the St. Jude campus, near A.W. Willis Avenue and Danny Thomas Boulevard. Demolition permits have already been filed to clear the way for construction.
ARC II follows the completion of the $412 million, eight-story Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center, which opened in 2021. The new building is expected to create jobs and push St. Jude’s expansion further beyond the scope of its current 2022–2027 strategic plan—a plan that already includes a $12.9 billion investment and more than 2,000 new jobs.
The St. Jude campus is bustling with activity beyond ARC II. Two 15-story towers are also under interior construction, signaling a transformative era for the institution and the city of Memphis. Meanwhile, ALSAC—the hospital’s fundraising and awareness arm—announced new leadership earlier this year as longtime CEO Richard Shadyac Jr. stepped down, making way for a new chapter of growth and vision.
As Memphis continues to evolve as a hub for world-class medical innovation, the construction of ARC II reinforces the city’s standing at the forefront of life-changing research and care.
