If you’ve driven down 3rd Street in the Westlake district lately, you’ve probably seen it. The massive, somewhat ghostly complex of St. Vincent Medical Center Los Angeles. It sits there, a sprawling 366-bed monument to a healthcare era that feels like it vanished overnight.
For over 160 years, this place was the bedrock of medical care in the city. It survived the smallpox outbreaks of the 1870s. It saw the rise of modern organ transplants. Then, suddenly, it was gone. Or was it?
The story of what happened to St. Vincent is honestly a bit of a rollercoaster involving bankruptcy, a billionaire surgeon, and a global pandemic. It’s a mess of good intentions and cold financial realities.
Why St. Vincent Medical Center Los Angeles Closed Its Doors
Basically, the money ran out.
It’s the classic story of a "safety net" hospital. St. Vincent was founded by the Daughters of Charity back in 1856. They were the first to provide organized healthcare in Los Angeles. But in the 21st century, being a charitable institution in a high-cost city is a brutal business model.
By 2018, the hospital was part of the Verity Health System, which was hemorrhaging cash. They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. There was a glimmer of hope when a group called KPC Group tried to buy it for $120 million, but that deal fell through at the last minute.
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In January 2020, the news hit like a ton of bricks: St. Vincent was closing.
Patients were transferred. Doctors packed their bags. For the first time since before the Civil War, the campus went dark.
The Patrick Soon-Shiong Era
Enter Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. You might know him as the owner of the Los Angeles Times or the partial owner of the Lakers. He’s also the billionaire behind NantWorks.
In April 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic was tearing through California, Soon-Shiong bought the shuttered campus for about $135 million. The timing was wild. Within weeks, the state of California leased the building to create the "Los Angeles Surge Hospital."
It was supposed to be a "central command" for the war against the virus.
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The Mystery of the Shuttered Campus
People often ask: "Is St. Vincent Medical Center Los Angeles open now?"
Kinda, but not really.
The surge hospital was a temporary fix. It treated fewer than 100 patients before closing back down in late May 2020 as the initial wave subsided. Since then, the main hospital building has mostly sat vacant.
There’s been a lot of drama behind the scenes. At one point, film crews for a Disney medical drama called Triage were spotted using the empty halls as a set. This didn't sit well with local activists, who argued the building should be used for the thousands of people experiencing homelessness just outside its gates.
What about medical records?
If you were a patient there and need your files, don't just show up at the door. You’ve basically got to go through the Verity Health System bankruptcy estate or specialized medical record services. Since the hospital isn't an active acute-care facility, there isn't a front desk to help you.
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The Future: Homelessness and Mental Health?
The most recent talk around the neighborhood—and in the halls of the L.A. City Council—is turning the site into a massive "homeless service campus."
Council members like Mitch O’Farrell have been very vocal about this. The idea is to use those 300+ beds for acute mental health care. Honestly, it makes sense. The Westlake and MacArthur Park areas are at the epicenter of the city's housing crisis.
Soon-Shiong has expressed interest in these discussions, but as of early 2026, the transformation hasn't fully materialized. Converting a massive, aging hospital into a modern mental health facility isn't just about unlocking the doors; it requires hundreds of millions in seismic retrofitting and specialized staffing.
Realities You Should Know
- Seismic Issues: Part of why it's hard to reopen is California's strict earthquake laws. The buildings need massive upgrades to meet 2030 standards.
- The "New" St. Vincent: Don't confuse the old 3rd Street campus with the new DOCS Surgical Hospital being built at 6000 San Vicente Blvd. That’s a separate project slated for 2026 completion.
- Owner Intent: Patrick Soon-Shiong's family foundation technically owns the site. They've used it for some research, but the primary hospital functions remain paused.
It’s a tragedy to see such a historic landmark sitting idle while the city’s health needs are so high. Whether it becomes a research hub, a homeless shelter, or a renovated hospital again, the legacy of St. Vincent is still being written.
Practical Steps for Former Patients and Neighbors:
- Requesting Records: If you need historical medical records, contact the Verity Health System liquidation trust. Most records are now managed by third-party digital custodians like MediCopy or through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines for closed facilities.
- Community Impact: For those living nearby, keep an eye on City Council District 13 agendas. Public hearings regarding the "re-use" of the campus for homeless services are where you can voice your opinion on how the site affects local safety and property values.
- Emergency Care: Remember, St. Vincent does NOT have an Emergency Room. If you have a medical crisis in the Westlake area, your closest options are now Good Samaritan Hospital (PIH Health) on Wilshire or LAC+USC Medical Center.
- Don't Trespass: The campus is heavily patrolled by private security. Even though it looks abandoned, it’s private property and a frequent site for film productions.