Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center marked the start of construction on the Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital on Oct. 19, 2026, with a groundbreaking ceremony at the former Joslin Diabetes Center site on Brookline Avenue.

The $1.68 billion, 450,000‑square‑foot facility will rise ten floors and provide 300 inpatient beds, including 30 intensive‑care beds and a 16‑bed observation suite for patients who need monitoring after outpatient clinics close.

Designed exclusively for cancer care, the hospital will feature patient‑room layouts prioritising comfort and safety, specialized air‑protection systems on four floors, and flexible clinical spaces that can adapt to evolving oncology treatments.

The new inpatient campus will sit alongside Dana‑Farber’s existing outpatient and research facilities, creating a tightly integrated cancer‑treatment hub that links clinical care with scientific discovery across the Longwood Medical Area.

The partnership marks a shift from Dana‑Farber’s historic inpatient relationship with Brigham and Women’s Hospital; the institute is transitioning its inpatient cancer‑care collaboration to Beth Israel Deaconess, a process expected to continue through 2028 before the new hospital opens.

Philanthropic contributions from Josh and Anita Bekenstein and Jonathan and Jeannie Lavine constitute the largest single gift in Dana‑Farber’s history, enabling the $1.68 billion project to move forward.

Dana‑Farber plans to hire roughly 2,400 workers, including nurses and clinical staff, over the next four years to staff the hospital and support the transition of inpatient services.

The hospital is scheduled to open its doors in 2031, adding dedicated inpatient capacity to Boston’s cancer‑care landscape and strengthening the collaborative network with Beth Israel Deaconess.