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.
“Leading the architectural team for Roper Hospital has been both a challenge and an honor,” said Jeremy Bartz, AIA, NCARB, Sr. Executive Director, at E4H. “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.”
“Connectivity and resilience are central to the vision for Roper Hospital’s future campus,” says Anthony Treu, AIA, ACHA, Healthcare Practice Leader at SOM. “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.”
“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.”
Upon full buildout, the 805,000-square-foot hospital building will include inpatient beds, an emergency department, critical care beds, operating rooms, a comprehensive imaging department, and a 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.
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.
For more information about the future Roper Hospital and the broader systemwide master plan, visit www.rsfh.com.
