A magnetic resonance imaging suite is sheathed with plates ( 32, 34, 36 ) of iron or other ferrous material. The plates define projections ( 42, 44 ) in alignment with each other on opposite ceiling and floor or wall surfaces. A pair of magnetic pole pieces ( 10, 10' ) are surrounded by superconducting electromagnetic coils ( 12, 12' ). The pole pieces are positioned between the ferrous plates in axial alignment. When current flows through the electromagnetic coils, magnetic flux flows between the pole pieces. The ferrous wall sheathing or other ferrous constructions define a flux return path. The pole pieces are magnetically attracted toward each other and are each magnetically mirrored in and attracted toward the adjacent ferrous flux return path. The pole pieces are positioned relative to each other and the ferrous flux return path such that the attraction between the pole pieces is balanced by the attraction between each pole piece and its magnetically mirrored image in the adjacent ferrous material of the flux return path. Optionally, the magnets are selectively extinguished and one or both pole pieces are moved for better access to the patient.