press releases | 12/03/2025

Foundation stone laid for the New Hauner

A state-of-the-art university clinic for pediatrics and adolescent medicine is currently being built at the Großhadern campus of the LMU Klinikum

The Neues Hauner will succeed the internationally renowned Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital at the end of this decade. With the laying of the foundation stone on Tuesday, March 11, the LMU Klinikum celebrated an important milestone on the way to a state-of-the-art university hospital for pediatric and adolescent medicine. The ceremony was attended by Bavarian Prime Minister Dr. Markus Söder, Bavaria's Minister of State for Science and the Arts Markus Blume and Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, among others. The new building with almost 200 beds will bring together the Clinics for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery with the integrated Social Pediatric Center and other facilities.

After a welcome address by the Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of LMU Klinikum Prof. Markus M. Lerch, the Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister of Science Markus Blume and Thomas Jenkel, Head of the State Building Authority Munich 2, delivered words of welcome at the laying of the foundation stone:

Dr. Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister President: "A great day for children's medicine in Bavaria: today's laying of the foundation stone for 'Das Neue Hauner' on the LMU Großhadern campus marks the construction of the most modern children's hospital in Europe. Another important milestone for the health of our children and young people and a shining mosaic stone for medical care in Bavaria as a whole. Medicine is currently experiencing the most dynamic development in the history of mankind. We want to be part of this development. That is why we are investing heavily in technology and medicine. Both are key factors for current and future health and quality of life. The Free State's investment of around 550 million euros in 'Das Neue Hauner' is money well spent, because our children deserve the best possible medical care! Thanks to all employees and all the best for the further construction."

Bavaria's Minister of Science Markus Blume: "This is the beginning of a new era for Großhadern, for Munich, for the whole of Bavaria: We are giving one of the most renowned children's hospitals in Germany a new home for 600 million euros. In future, the focus in Großhadern will also be on the little ones - right next to the existing clinic building. Our aim is to provide the best conditions for the care of sick children and research into new treatment methods. The 'Hauner' is a real institution here and an international flagship for the Free State of Bavaria. The new building is both a project close to our hearts and a promise for the future, because the health of our youngest patients is the most important thing of all. And: laying the foundation stone today is also a real milestone for the overall Großhadern project. It underpins our claim to be the number one medical location."

Prof. Dr. Markus M. Lerch, Chairman of the Board and Medical Director of LMU Klinikum: " With the construction of the New Hauner, the Free State of Bavaria is setting an example more than 170 years after August von Hauner's founding idea. The first new building of the Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital on Goetheplatz, built in 1882, has developed into one of the world's most renowned children's hospitals. The New Hauner on the Großhadern campus will continue its tradition and, once completed, will be the most modern and child-friendly clinic for pediatric and adolescent medicine in Europe. As LMU Klinikum, we are very grateful for this major investment by the Free State of Bavaria, which has also given the go-ahead for the renewal of our entire medical campus in Großhadern after more than 50 years.

Thomas Jenkel, Head of the State Building Authority Munich 2: "As the team of the State Building Authority Munich 2, we are proud to be able to realize the New Hauner for the LMU Hospital. A functional and architecturally high-quality hospital building is being built on the Großhadern campus that will meet the special needs of our children and young people. We are not only sending out a strong signal for care and protection in our society, but are also making a contribution to the further structural development of the Großhadern hospital site."

Participants in the ceremony filled a time capsule with, among other things, current newspapers, euro coins, a pterosaur figurine, the planning and continuation contract for the New Hauner and the guest list for the event. Minister President Markus Söder placed a Bavarian lion in the time capsule, while Science Minister Markus Blume contributed a Bavarian baby bottle. Twelve-year-old Romina, who received a new heart transplant at LMU Hospital in 2022, formulated her and her brother Valentin's wishes for the new building for the time capsule: including a good Wi-Fi connection and a school avatar so that the children can go to school virtually, a playground, activities such as pottery, yoga and games afternoons. "But the most important things are the things that money can't buy!" she wrote. "I'm thinking above all of the many people who give their all to make the young patients' stay as short and entertaining as possible - doctors, nursing staff and social care." Romina also put her wish list in the capsule. The time capsule was sunk into the symbolic foundation stone with the traditional hammer blows; a crane then lifted it into the foundations of the new building.

Construction of the New Hauner began in the second quarter of 2023 and is proceeding according to plan: following the establishment of the construction site and excavation, concrete work is currently underway and should be completed in 2026. Technical commissioning is planned for 2027, with the building to be handed over to the LMU Klinikum at the end of 2029. When the foundation stone is laid, the building will rise above ground level (first floor) after almost two years of construction. The Free State of Bavaria is contributing 550 million euros to the total construction costs of 600 million euros, with 50 million euros coming from donations and the LMU Klinikum's own contribution. The development and construction costs for the New Hauner with integrated computer center, school for the sick, care for siblings and a high-performance photovoltaic system are estimated at around 420 million euros. The Free State of Bavaria is also providing additional funds (currently up to 180 million euros) for future increases in construction costs and possible construction risks.

The new building with a total of 196 beds and 1,408 rooms is home to the Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery Clinics. The building, with a floor plan of 90 by 90 meters and a usable area of 19,200 square meters, is spatially embedded in the Großhadern campus. The departments of neonatology, pediatric cardiology and pediatric palliative medicine are already located there. The New Hauner is directly connected to the obstetrics department in the adjacent "Bettenhaus". This creates a central location at the LMU Clinic where the staff of the New Hauner can treat children of all ages - from extremely premature babies to young adults - with all medical conditions. This will enable the internationally renowned Center for Paediatric Medicine to continue its work under optimal conditions.

The compact structure within the new building, which was designed by Munich architects Nickl & Partner, shortens the distances for patients and staff. The close interlinking of the various specialist disciplines enables rapid exchange and thus contributes to the best possible treatment of children with often chronic and highly complex illnesses. The areas of patient care are closely linked to research, teaching and training. Modern laboratories and seminar rooms will be built on the second floor, while there will be a lecture hall on the first floor. The architecture of the building will also contribute to the recovery of children and young people: open areas with play and recreational facilities as well as a cafeteria with indoor and outdoor areas in the foyer will create a pleasant and family-friendly environment. Four inner courtyards provide plenty of daylight and a positive atmosphere for patients and their families.

The creation of the New Hauner is largely due to broad civic involvement. So far, donations of around 28 million euros have been collected for the construction, the realization of special projects in patient care as well as for research and teaching. The current focus of fundraising is on the interior design of examination rooms, outpatient clinics and patient rooms in the New Hauner, which are to be adapted to the needs of young patients. The aim is the holistic well-being of all those involved in the recovery process - a concern that was already close to the heart of the founder of the Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital.

As a sponsor of the New Hauner, DFB co-trainer Sandro Wagner is very interested in the development of the new clinic: "Supporting the New Hauner is a home game and a matter close to my heart," he says. "I was born at Großhadern Hospital and our family has always benefited from the excellent conditions. As a sponsor, I can and want to give something back. Because together we are always stronger."