Scenic Houston honored the Texas Medical Center (TMC) and the Helix Park Project on May 24, 2023 at its Annual Scenic Star Reception. The TMC Helix Park was recognized for not only highlighting the world-changing healthcare and medical research taking place in Houston, but giving our city another thoughtfully planned green space.
The TMC is the largest medical complex in the entire world. Nearly 100 years ago, in 1925, Hermann Hospital opened its doors to the public and admitted its first patient. Over the next several decades, the Texas Medical Center became home to some of the most renowned medical facilities and medical research programs. In 1964, Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., performed the world’s first coronary artery bypass procedure and in 1968 Denton Cooley, M.D. performed the first hear transplant in the United States. Today, TMC is home to the world’s largest children’s hospital and cancer center. More than 10 million patients visit the TMC every year.
To continue their mission to serve the health, education and research needs of Texas and the world, the TMC launched the Helix Park project in December of 2020. The TMC Helix Park project will feature a first-of-its-kind green space in a unique double helix configuration. It will weave through the heart of campus and provide the TMC and Houston with an iconic public space. The Helix Park project will include lush lawns, grassy knolls, tree canopies, and engaging water features that will benefit all visitors and create environments that spark creativity and thought. Designed by award-winning international architect, Mikyoung Kim, the Helix Park campus will span over 300,000 SF and offer five public parks, each approximately the size of a football field.
In addition to the carefully crafted green spaces, Helix Park will include a hotel, conference center, and residential tower. This will complement TMC3 Collaborative Building which will serve as a hub for groundbreaking medical research by MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the TMC. This four-story, state-of-the-art building will foster ongoing collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners through a 43,000-SF joint research lab, office/co-working space and a shared IT infrastructure as well as a 14,000-SF MD Anderson lab and a 7,000-SF atrium for lectures, weekly programming and informal events.
We would like to extend a special thanks to our major sponsors Cadence Bank, Transwestern, and Kirksey Architecture and our Annual Dinner Co-Chairs. Click here to view our event photo gallery!