Johns Hopkins unveils $1.1B hotel-like hospital

Johns Hopkins today unveiled plans for a new $1.1 billion hospital with a "hotel-like" atmosphere, The Baltimore Sun reported. As one of the largest hospital construction projects in the country, the 1.6 million-square-foot building will feature 560 private rooms, 33 operating rooms, new adult and children's emergency rooms and include gardens, artwork, sound-proofing, Internet and food options. The new hospital replaces the East Baltimore campus, constructed in the 1930s and 1950s.

Officials say the upgrades are needed to maintain business by luring patients and keeping doctors and other personnel, the article noted. "Our new facilities will enable us to provide that excellent care with greater comfort and private for our patients and their families in a state-of-the-art environment," said Edward D. Miller, dean and chief executive of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Patients are scheduled to move to the new facilities in April. Article