Roper St. Francis Healthcare, in partnership with E4H Environments for Health Architecture; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); and Barton Malow | Edifice, has officially broken ground on the future Roper Hospital. The $1.2 billion campus is designed to transform healthcare delivery in the Lowcountry, combining advanced technology, resilience planning, and a patient-centered approach.
The future facility is envisioned as a model of 21st-century healthcare—built to persevere through environmental challenges while improving access and enhancing the experience for patients and visitors alike. Planned on a 27-acre site north of the Charleston peninsula, the campus continues Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s tradition of excellence while preparing for the needs of future generations.
“Leading the architectural team for Roper Hospital has been both a challenge and an honor,” said E4H Sr. Executive Director Jeremy Bartz, AIA, NCARB. “We’ve worked hand-in-hand with hundreds of dedicated healthcare professionals to understand their needs and vision. The result is distinctly Lowcountry—a sophisticated campus that feels connected to this place while delivering world-class care. This project will transform healthcare delivery across the region through its innovative layout and thoughtful integration with the community.”
The campus masterplan organizes the hospital around a central pedestrian green belt that links the site’s three separate parcels with shaded walkways, gardens, and plazas inspired by Charleston’s historic street spaces and the native flora of the Lowcountry. The architecture and interiors similarly draw from the surrounding region’s unique ecosystems to create a sequence of immersive and serene experiences for visitors.
“Connectivity and resilience are central to the vision for Roper Hospital’s future campus,” said SOM Healthcare Practice Leader Anthony Treu, AIA, ACHA. “As the design architects leading the campus planning, built environment, and public space design, we’re transforming a constrained suburban site into a cohesive healthcare destination inspired by the landscapes of the Lowcountry. The result is a future-ready, resilient campus that enhances access and fosters a supportive, patient-focused environment—setting a new standard for the next century of care.”
The future campus will be the fourth location for Roper Hospital since it opened in downtown Charleston in 1856.
“We’re not just erecting walls and hallways,” said Roper St. Francis Healthcare President and CEO Joseph DeLeon. “We’re building the next chapter of a nearly 2-century-old story where each brick represents a patient, loved one, teammate, or community member who has been or will be touched by our mission of healing all people with compassion, faith, and excellence.”
Upon full buildout, the 805,000-square-foot hospital building will include 328 inpatient beds, a 47-bay emergency department, 44 critical care beds, 18 operating rooms, a comprehensive imaging department, and a 12-bay hemodialysis unit. The layout integrates procedure rooms from different disciplines on the same floor, allowing for efficient interdepartmental care in cardiac, neurology, and endoscopy services.
“It’s inspiring to see Roper St. Francis Healthcare not only investing in the area’s growth, but also continuing their nearly 200-year legacy of exceptional patient care,” said Dan Buchta of the Barton Malow | Edifice team. “We’re proud to collaborate on this 805,000-square-foot facility, which reflects Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s enduring commitment to the Charleston community and the health and well-being of its residents.”
Barton Malow | Edifice is leading construction using a target-value delivery method, allowing the team to adjust design components while maintaining budgetary integrity. Despite challenges related to seismic conditions, FAA height restrictions, and a high-water table, the project remains on track for a 2029 completion.
