Tulane University announced in a press release in late 2021 that it plans to lease and redevelop Charity Hospital downtown with the help of developers at 1532 Tulane Partners, Inc. and SKK Opportunity Zone Fund I, LLC. After damage from Hurricane Katrina and delays from COVID-19, the facility is planned to reopen in 2027. 

“The rebirth of the Charity Hospital building is part of a $600 million commitment by Tulane to reposition downtown New Orleans as a hub of biotech discovery and innovation,” Patrick Norton, Tulane’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, said. “As well as a destination for the best medical education and healthcare.”

Charity Hospital has not been functional since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage to the building. Former Governor Kathleen Blanco blocked the delivery of power generators to the hospital multiple times and said that the hospital would not reopen.

According to Norton, when reopened, Charity Hospital will house over 600 researchers, Tulane University Innovation Institute and supplements to Tulane’s School of Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and the School of Professional Advancement. 

Tulane’s 2021 press release said that the university would lease approximately 350,000 square feet of the building. However, Nortion said Tulane now plans to lease an additional 50,000 square feet which brings the total to 400,000 square feet. Besides being an academic and research hub, Tulane also plans to include student space, a cafe and study areas. 

“This commitment includes our partnership with LCMC Health,” Norton said. “That will expand access to comprehensive and specialty medical care, advance academic medicine (including a new nursing program) and boost innovation in the region.”