Construction
Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing
CONSTRUCTION UPdates
Stay up to date on the progress of the new Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing as it takes shape on Mercy College’s downtown campus. What was once an unused, condemned building is being transformed into a modern, purpose-built home for future nurses. Check back regularly for construction updates, photos, and milestones as this exciting project moves forward.
latest
construction update
FEBRUARY 5, 2026
A construction staging area and entrances near Building 2 have been blocked off (see map below). To enter Brennan Hall, please use the fenced entrance on Crocker Street.
past
updates
A construction staging area and entrances near Building 2 have been blocked off (see map below). To enter Brennan Hall, please use the fenced entrance on Crocker Street.
The South Sullivan Center parking lot outside of Building Two is now unavailable. Parking is available in the Crocker Lot.
Explore the
Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing
The Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing is a two-story, 24,000 square foot that will replace the currently unused Building 2 on Mercy College’s downtown Des Moines, Iowa, campus. The new school will support Mercy College’s most in-demand educational offering – nursing – with purposefully designed classrooms and simulation labs outfitted with modern patient care technology. Funds raised during the Legacy of Faith campaign will go toward the construction and furnishing of the new school. Community and campus leadership recognize the need to prepare for the future now. What was once an abandoned, condemned building on campus will become a beacon of faith for the downtown community and those who dream of a career in nursing.
EXTERIOR
The $15 million Legacy of Faith Campaign will revive Mercy College’s downtown Des Moines campus. In addition to the significantly improved educational spaces inside the building, the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing will also have a peaceful “pocket park” connecting it to the rest of the College’s campus.
EXTERIOR
The $15 million Legacy of Faith Campaign will revive Mercy College’s downtown Des Moines campus. In addition to the significantly improved educational spaces inside the building, the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing will also have a peaceful “pocket park” connecting it to the rest of the College’s campus.
FIRST FLOOR
Inside the new building, students will ample room to relax and study. The first floor of the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing will be home to a student commons and lounge area with plenty of natural light flooding the space. Lecture and debriefing rooms down the hall will allow students to interact with faculty and peers alike to enhance their education.
FIRST FLOOR
Inside the new building, students will ample room to relax and study. The first floor of the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing will be home to a student commons and lounge area with plenty of natural light flooding the space. Lecture and debriefing rooms down the hall will allow students to interact with faculty and peers alike to enhance their education.
SECOND FLOOR
Upstairs, the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing will boast immersive simulation experiences and spacious skills labs. Students will be able to work in controlled environments to put their education into practice with simulated patients and high-fidelity manikins.
