nterior demolition work is ongoing in the existing buildings, with
additional phases of construction planned in the coming months. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Construction is underway at the former Olympia Medical Center at 5900 Olympic Blvd., where UCLA Health is building a state of the art neuropsychiatric hospital.

UCLA purchased the property in 2021 and is currently renovating the facility. Plans call for the new hospital to open in 2026.

Demolition began in March, and the project will continue to evolve over the next two years. Subsequent phases include replacement of a section of the overall hospital structure, extensive renovation of all building systems and interiors, and the installation of medical equipment, according to information provided by a UCLA Health spokesperson.

“UCLA Health is making a major investment in a world-class hospital that will offer a full continuum of behavioral health services and improve access in our community for people in need of care,” Johnese Spisso, president of UCLA Health and CEO of the UCLA Hospital System, said in a statement. “UCLA Health is uniquely qualified to bring this type of specialized care to our community.”

The new neuropsychiatric hospital will offer 119 patient beds and is being designed to provide direct support for patients, families and community members. Comprehensive behavioral health care services for children, adolescents, adults and senior citizens will be offered, along with a specialized space for crisis intervention and stabilization. UCLA Health plans to relocate 74 beds currently housed in the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA in Westwood to the new hospital on Olympic Boulevard.

UCLA Health is taking measures to minimize disruptions to the surrounding neighborhood. The site is closed to the public and surrounded by a construction fence.

“Every effort is being made to minimize neighborhood impacts. Parking for construction workers is being accommodated within the existing parking structure. Vehicle traffic is not expected to exceed levels seen when Olympia Medical Center was operating,” read a statement from UCLA Health. “The lead contractor has been tasked with maintaining a safe and compliant jobsite and ensuring any necessary coordination with authorities having jurisdiction. Protected pedestrian walkways and secure barriers into the construction site are part of the contractor’s scope.”

Greg Goldin, president of the Miracle Mile Residential Association, said he is not aware of any complaints about the hospital project, but added that there are so many projects ongoing in the Miracle Mile that it’s hard to keep track of them all. He said the MMRA has not met with or been briefed by UCLA Health about the project, and residents are eager to learn more.

“I know they are battering away over there, but I don’t know much more about it. We don’t have a clear perspective of what they’re doing and we would like to know more,” Goldin said. “Obviously, there’s a mental illness crisis in the United States. We don’t acknowledge how profound the mental health crisis is, so maybe this is a step in the addressing it.”