Eye Institute named one of Sac Business Journal’s 'Best Real Estate Projects of the Year'

The Sacramento Business Journal recognized the Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute as a standout development during its 2023 Best Real Estate Projects of the Year awards breakfast on Sept. 7. One of 24 selected, the Eye Institute was chosen as the honoree in the “medical” category.

The 73,000-square-foot building on UC Davis Health’s Sacramento campus includes a four-story addition to the existing Ambulatory Care Center. The building’s interior and exterior were designed specifically for ease of navigation for low-vision patients, including high-contrast colors and textures to increase wayfinding, and spaces filled with diffused daylight.

The building’s namesake, Ernest E. Tschannen, is the health system’s largest individual donor. After losing much of his sight from glaucoma, Tschannen’s vision was restored after receiving treatment at the UC Davis Eye Center. His $18.5 million gift kicked off the project, allowing the Eye Center to expand from its initial 25 exam rooms and 17 imaging rooms to the 54 exam rooms and 24 imaging rooms that exist today.

Vicky Vicente, executive director of project delivery in UC Davis Health’s Facilities, Planning and Development division, and the Eye Center’s project delivery leader, accepted the award on behalf of UC Davis Health. Representatives from the architectural firm HGA and the general contractor, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., were also in attendance.

“This is a huge honor to receive such a prestigious award, especially with all of the amazing healthcare work within our region,” Vicente said.

"This external recognition is a testament to the collaboration of the many UC Davis Health colleagues and external partners who made this state-of-the-art facility possible," FP&D associate executive director Tom Van Pelt added.

Throughout the coming weeks, the Sacramento Business Journal will release individual profiles and videos featuring each of the 24 projects awardees.