The Chancellor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center, often called the ChanPal SuRecon Center, stood as one of the tallest structures on the cityscape of Coruscant. During the period of the Clone Wars, it was also recognized as the Grand Republic Medical Facility or, more simply, the Grand Medical Facility. Subsequently, it gained the title of the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center, frequently shortened to the EmPal SuRecon Center. This formidable spire dominated the skyline of its section of Galactic City—later known as Imperial City.
The Sith fortress was cleverly disguised, featuring expansive windows that gave the impression of transparency and openness. Moreover, it capitalized on the Jedi's hesitation to launch an attack on a hospital, thereby endangering its patients. Near the summit of the edifice, four landing platforms were available for urgent medical transports. The interior incorporated exceptionally dense neuranium walls, designed to prevent any radiation leakage from the building's reactor. Enclosing this shielding was an external layer of durasteel, fortified with an alloy of lanthanide and duralium. Palpatine engaged in practices of Sith alchemy within the confines of the ChanPal SuRecon.
This somber location served as the setting for Darth Vader's reconstruction. Following Darth Vader's duel against his former Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Sidious transported his critically injured apprentice via shuttle to the Reconstruction Center for extensive repairs. During their confrontation, Vader suffered extensive third-degree burns that were nearly fatal, severe damage to his lungs, the loss of his remaining limbs, and profound emotional trauma.
His physical injuries were addressed through significant cybernetic enhancements in the main laboratory. Palpatine also instructed the medical droids—specifically, two 2-1B surgical droids, one FX-6 medical assistant droid, and one DD-13 cybernetic surgical droid—to ensure Vader remained conscious throughout the procedure, believing the pain would amplify his strength. Many of these droids had either been involved in or witnessed Qymaen jai Sheelal's transformation into Grievous.
After being revived as a cyborg, Vader inquired about Padmé Amidala with his master. Sidious responded by claiming that Vader had, in his rage, killed his wife. Overcome with anguish at the thought of having killed his wife and their unborn child, Vader broke free from his restraints on the operating table and struggled to stand on his new mechanical legs. His rage resulted in the destruction of the medical droids that had worked to save him and caused considerable damage to the main laboratory. It also caused a worker to go deaf permanently.
The workers were unaware of the identity of the patient being operated on. They speculated that it was either a ghost or the collective screams of all those who had perished during the Clone Wars echoing one final time. This rumor persisted throughout 18 BBY.
During the initial months of the Galactic Empire, Emperor Palpatine utilized the EmPal SuRecon Center as his central command. He conducted meetings with members of the Imperial Senate within a throne room situated beneath his personal chambers and Sith medical facilities. He eventually relocated his primary base of operations to the Imperial Palace after its reconstruction was completed to meet his specifications. Darth Vader returned to the facility to undergo repairs to his prosthetic right arm, which had been damaged during a duel with Bol Chatak on Murkhana.
Later in the Empire's reign, the EmPal SuRecon Center gained notoriety among citizens as one of the most esteemed medical treatment centers throughout the galaxy. Its architectural design incorporated VLD2261 laser cannons, Royal Guard posts, a private meditation chamber for Palpatine's use, and additional installations dedicated to the training of Dark Jedi. Korriban lightsaber crystals, Sith scrolls, potent Sith artifacts, comprehensive bio-details spanning hundreds of Sith generations, and a dark force reservoir were also secured within the building's core.