Clayco Breaks Ground on Gateways Hospital’s Adolescent Inpatient Expansion in Los Angeles

Los Angeles – February 21, 2025 – Clayco, a fully-integrated design-build and construction firm, has broken ground on the Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Center at Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Centers, marking a significant step forward in expanding critical mental health services for at-risk youth in Los Angeles County. The 27,000-square-foot facility will provide 37 additional inpatient beds, making Gateways one of the largest acute adolescent mental health providers in the region.

This expansion project is supported by a $19.2 million grant from the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) and is designed to address gaps in care by increasing access to specialized psychiatric services for vulnerable youth. The facility will be equipped to support adolescents experiencing severe emotional or behavioral challenges, providing a safe, structured environment for healing and recovery.

“Gateways is uniquely positioned to address the growing demand for youth mental health services, as a comprehensive care provider that has worked with the most vulnerable populations for over seventy years. This expansion project will increase capacity for services while ensuring that more vulnerable youth get the support they urgently need,” said Dr. Phil Wong, CEO of Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Centers. “We are committed to strengthening infrastructure so that every individual gets the support they need, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Gateways Hospital has been a leader in behavioral health services for over 70 years, and this expansion represents the largest infrastructure upgrade to its Echo Park headquarters since its founding. Clayco is serving as the general contractor, with S.L. Leonard & Associates as construction management and HMC Architects leading the design.

Beyond increasing capacity for inpatient services, the new facility will incorporate trauma-informed care principles and provide a range of specialized programming tailored to adolescents. Gateways Hospital currently partners with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to provide free mental health services in 22 schools, ensuring access to care where it’s needed most.

“As mental health challenges among young people continue to rise, this project is critical to ensuring they receive the care they need,” said Lucy Villanueva, vice president of healthcare at Clayco. “At Clayco, we recognize the importance of building spaces that go beyond four walls.  This new facility will provide a safe and healing space for adolescents in crisis while reinforcing our mission to deliver high-quality, purpose-driven healthcare infrastructure.”

For more information, visit www.claycorp.com.