LOS ANGELES—McCarthy Building Cos. has completed the $480 million Richard Lundquist Tower at Torrance Memorial four months early and $10 million under budget. The 390,000-square-foot tower has 256 private rooms and 18 surgical and interventional rooms as well as the South Bay's first hybrid operating room.

“Technological advancements in construction and innovative delivery solutions are enabling our design and construction teams to complete even the most challenging projects more efficiently, bringing greater value to project owners,” Patrick Peterson, McCarthy Building Cos. VP of healthcare services, tells GlobeSt.com. “The early and under budget completion of the cutting-edge Torrance Memorial Lundquist Tower project is a prime example of what McCarthy's project teams can accomplish in a collaborative and innovative environment.”

The Lundquist Tower replaces Torrance Memorial's original facility. Originally built in 1971, the former hospital building no longer met the seismic requirements for a hospital facility. The tower now features a buckling restraint braced-frame structure to meet those requirements. HMC Architects designed the building, which serves as a centerpiece of the medical campus with water feature and an open lobby area, family-centric lounges and a metal, precast concrete and plaster exterior.

In addition to the contemporary design and seismic construction features, the property also has a wealth of eco-friendly features and is LEED-Silver certified. The façade is designed to reduce energy consumption, while interior individual temperature controls further reduce energy. Additionally, the property has a low-level perimeter building lighting that reduces light pollution; water efficient landscaping; and a healing garden to reduce the “heat island effect.” McCarthy carried the sustainability ideal throughout the construction project by recycling 80% of the construction waste and using local labor.

McCarthy started the project in February 2010, and began erecting the steel structure in 2011. The building was complete in September and welcomed its first patients into the building on November 16.