The Hope Plaza Building at City of Hope in Duarte, California, stands as a bold symbol of progress in the fight against cancer. More than just a building, it represents a vision realized—a space designed to transform the patient experience while advancing the future of medical care. In 2018, the City of Duarte approved the City of Hope Specific Plan, a forward-looking, 20-year development roadmap to reimagine the 110-acre campus with over 1.4 million sq-ft of new facilities. At the heart of this transformation is Hope Plaza – the Signature Outpatient Tower, a 350,000 sq-ft, eight-story outpatient center that opened in May 2025. This milestone project replaces four aging facilities, consolidates services into one streamlined hub, and increases patient capacity by nearly 70%—all as part of a broader $1 billion master campus modernization initiative.
Designed by CO Architects (executive architect) and EwingCole (associate architect), Hope Plaza elevates the healthcare environment with thoughtful design and impactful architectural gestures. A 121-foot-long glass canopy welcomes patients and visitors with light and transparency, while two 80-ft long pedestrian bridges span busy campus streets, creating a dramatic gateway and vital connection within the reimagined campus. Sentech Architectural Systems engineered and delivered over 2,100 square feet of low-iron, laminated structural glass for the canopy and bridge guardrails. Featuring high-performance laminated glass supported by custom-engineered systems, the design balances clarity and strength—meeting strict seismic, safety, and durability requirements while maintaining an elegant, seamless aesthetic.
The pedestrian bridges embody more than infrastructure—they symbolize connection, healing, and hope. Their crystalline transparency floods the pathway with natural light, offers unobstructed views, and provides a calm, uplifting experience for patients, caregivers, and researchers alike. This design not only enhances safety and functionality but also reinforces City of Hope’s mission of innovation and compassionate care. Hope Plaza sets a new benchmark in healthcare design, uniting advanced medicine, visionary architecture, and cutting-edge engineering into a single environment that truly embodies its name: hope.
Awards
LEED Gold Certification (anticipated)
Credits
Owner: City of Hope
Architect: CO Architects
Glazing Contractor: Walters & Wolf
General Contractor: DPR Construction
Photo Credit: Tom Bonner Photography
