Essentia Health Duluth is working hard to finish their Vision Northland project and as progress continues to be made, design elements throughout the replacement St. Mary’s Medical Center are starting to take form.

This week Essentia shared the very unique and sprawling rooftop garden that will be perched above the building’s eighth floor.

According to their news release, it will feature stunning views of Lake Superior, lush greenery, inviting landscaping and a place of solace for patients, their families and staff.

The 30,000-square-foot space will also include a deck, garden and pavilion.

“This really is a place of holistic healing that our staff, patients and their families deserve,” said Grant Hauschild, executive director of the Essentia Health Foundation, which supported this addition to Essentia’s transformational project in Duluth’s Medical District. “We know how stressful it can be when a loved one is in the hospital, and we hope this space provides a little relief.”

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Essentia adds the rooftop garden includes a 10,000-square-foot deck and 15,000 square feet of green space for planting grasses, annuals, shrubs, perennials and a variety of trees. It also features a 5,000-square-foot enclosed pavilion so the views can be enjoyed during Duluth’s bitterly cold winters. The all-glass exterior of the pavilion will maximize views of the city and Lake Superior.

The garden also features a tall, all-glass perimeter for safety, without interfering with the beautiful views.

If you're wondering about how this new space will fare during Duluth winters, they' put plenty of though into that as well. Hauschild says that some of the greenery is all-season and will survive over the winter months. They will also utilize plants that bloom at different times throughout the year, allowing people to find comfort and connect with nature regardless of the time of year.

Essentia Health notes the project was made possible by the generosity of the Essentia Health Foundation donors and community who continue to support this visionary health care center.

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