US-based healthcare network UCLA Health is making progress on converting a former community medical centre into a neuropsychiatric hospital in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles.

Demolition and site works started in March last year. The project is now transitioning to the construction phase, with its completion expected in 2026.

The design-build construction team includes McCarthy Building and architectural company HOK Group.

The project involves removing a portion of the old structure, adding a connecting building with elevators, and replacing the exterior envelope for improved energy efficiency and acoustic benefits.

The team is currently carrying out utility work to support an all-electric hospital, as well as grading and clearing activities to create an off-street loading dock, along with new landscaping and garden areas.

Once finished, the new hospital will feature 119 inpatient acute care psychiatric beds, including 36 for children and adolescents to address the urgent need for more psychiatric beds in Los Angeles County.

It will also feature crisis stabilisation services and provide a full range of inpatient and outpatient services.

Upcoming phases of development involve comprehensive construction to upgrade the site's building systems, infrastructure and interiors.

This will be followed by the installation of medical equipment, an all-electric commercial kitchen, furnishings, IT devices and other steps before state licensure.

UCLA Health has acquired a parking structure and medical office building as part of separate projects.

The aim is to seismically upgrade, enhance infrastructure and create new clinic spaces for licensed behavioural health outpatient and partial hospital programmes that will be relocated from Westwood.

The vacated neuropsychiatric hospital space in Westwood will be redesigned to expand UCLA Health's capacity to deliver specialised medical and surgical care to paediatric and adult patients.

Detailed plans for this development are currently in the development stage.