The University of Alabama at Birmingham has opened a new $156.7 million inpatient rehabilitation pavilion, expanding its capacity to provide specialized care for patients recovering from complex conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and epilepsy.

The new facility adds 134 beds and includes three therapy gyms, indoor and outdoor rehabilitation areas, and advanced equipment designed to support functional recovery across physical, cognitive and emotional domains. It was designed by Gresham Smith and built by Hoar Construction.

Each floor of the building is tailored to specific patient populations to streamline care coordination. Amenities include overhead patient lifts, robotic-assisted devices, a seizure monitoring unit, a multisensory room, and real-world recovery features like a rooftop garden and a terrain park with curbs, ramps and simulated streets.
“This hospital is more than a building — it is a promise to our patients and their families,” said Dr. Robert Brunner, medical director of the UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center.

UAB will continue to operate its existing Spain Rehabilitation Center for outpatient services, while the new pavilion focuses on inpatient care. The facility is also designed with families in mind, offering respite rooms, laundry areas and dedicated spaces for support during long recovery periods.

“This innovative new facility will dramatically advance our comprehensive, inpatient care for those with life-altering injuries or conditions,” said UAB President Dr. Ray Watts.

The building also features amenities aimed at easing the transition back to daily living, including a virtual reality gait treadmill, car transfer simulator and recreational therapy areas such as a basketball court and putting green.

UAB Medicine’s rehabilitation program, led by its department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, is consistently ranked among the nation’s top programs by U.S. News & World Report.

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