St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is taking another major step forward in its mission to save lives and advance global research — right here in Memphis.
The hospital has announced it’s ready to begin vertical construction on what will become the largest building in St. Jude’s history: the 16-story, 865,000-square-foot Advanced Research Center II (ARC II). The project represents a $281.2 million investment in the building’s structure, core systems, and mechanical infrastructure, according to filings with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development.
“This filing represents another step in developing our new Advanced Research Center,” said a St. Jude spokesperson. “Once completed, this project will further advance the institution’s life-saving work as part of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Strategic Plan.”
The new research facility will stand 280 feet tall, roughly the same height as East Memphis’ i-Bank Tower, and will serve as a companion to St. Jude’s existing Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center, completed in 2021. Together, these cutting-edge spaces will deepen St. Jude’s capacity for scientific discovery and innovation in the fight against childhood diseases.
The Memphis office of Yates Construction will lead the build as general contractor, with Elkus Manfredi Architects of Boston serving as the project designer. The ARC II’s foundation work began earlier this year under a separate $43.8 million permit, and additional lab buildouts are expected as construction continues.
Over the past five years, St. Jude has transformed its campus with more than $1 billion in new facilities, including the Inspiration4 Center, the $118 million Domino’s Village for patients and families, and two 15-story clinical and outpatient buildings now in development.
These expansions are part of St. Jude’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan, a $12.9 billion investment that will create thousands of jobs and dedicate more than $2 billion to construction and capital projects — reinforcing Memphis as a global hub for healthcare and innovation.
From groundbreaking research to life-saving care, St. Jude continues to build more than just new facilities — it’s building hope, right here in the heart of Memphis.
