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Topping it off

Construction crews placed the finial atop Hoover Pavilion on Quarry Road Tuesday morning, symbolizing the near-completion of the 81-year-old building's restoration.

The original Palo Alto Hospital, Hoover Pavilion is part of a massive, years-long expansion of the Stanford University Medical Center, which also includes Stanford Hospitals and Clinics.

It is unclear when the Pavilion's original finial -- think a wedding-cake topper -- was removed. Speculation is that it was taken down during WWII so that officials could melt what they thought to be a copper architectural finish, according to a project spokesperson. However, it didn't turn out to be copper after all.

The finial added on Tuesday is a replica.

The restoration project has preserved the building's historic facade and included modernization of the interior. The facility at 211 Quarry Road will house community physicians and Stanford Hospital clinics as well as the Stanford Health Library.

Hoover Pavilion will open to patients on Dec. 17. A public open house has been scheduled for Dec. 6 at 10 a.m.

— Palo Alto Weekly staff

Posted by musical, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2012 at 4:55 pm

Ah, how often does one see a current photo of their birthplace being restored?

Posted by Lachlan, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2012 at 6:27 pm

A few years ago we were told this building was deemed unsafe and would be demolished. What happened to change its fate?

Local urban legend has it that this building is haunted by the ghosts of children who died there in the past.

Posted by Ducatigirl, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Ducatigirl is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online

Wasn't this building a mental institution before it was closed down?

Posted by neighbor, a resident of another community, on Nov 22, 2012 at 10:36 am

Lachlan---Seismic retrofits were part of the project