Sarasota Memorial Breaks Ground on New North Port Hospital, Poised to Open in 2028
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has officially broken ground on a major new full-service hospital in North Port, Florida — a transformative project expected to be completed in late 2028 that will significantly enhance healthcare access while accelerating long-term real estate and economic development across southern Sarasota County.
The new facility will be the first acute-care hospital located within the City of North Port, marking a major milestone for one of Southwest Florida’s fastest-growing communities. Designed as a modern, scalable medical campus, the hospital will deliver emergency care, surgical services, specialty medicine, diagnostics, and outpatient services closer to where residents live and work.
A Major Healthcare Investment in North Port
The Sarasota Memorial Hospital–North Port campus represents a $507 million investment in healthcare infrastructure and local economic growth. The project is situated on a 32-acre site along North Sumter Boulevard near the I-75 interchange, positioning it at the heart of one of the region’s most active growth corridors.
Key Project Highlights
- Nine-story acute-care hospital
- 100 patient beds at opening, with capacity to expand to 208 beds
- Three-story medical office building adjacent to the hospital
- Campus design capable of expanding to 400+ total beds over time
- Full range of services, including emergency medicine, surgical suites, specialty care, outpatient services, and physician practices
By incorporating shell space and long-term flexibility into the design, SMH is building not just for current demand — but for decades of population growth ahead.
Meeting Rapidly Growing Healthcare Demand
North Port has ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the United States, fueled by residential expansion, inbound migration, and regional job growth. Until now, residents have relied heavily on hospitals outside city limits for emergency and advanced care.
The new SMH campus will dramatically reduce travel times for critical services, improve emergency response capacity, and bring advanced care closer to home — a major quality-of-life upgrade for local families, retirees, and future residents.
Economic and Commercial Real Estate Impacts
Large-scale hospital projects often act as economic anchors, and the SMH North Port campus is already influencing development patterns in the surrounding area.
1. Healthcare-Driven Land Demand
Hospitals of this scale typically generate:
- Increased demand for medical office buildings
- Interest from specialty providers and outpatient clinics
- Growth in supporting uses such as pharmacies, imaging centers, urgent care, and rehabilitation services
2. Job Creation & Workforce Growth
The hospital will support:
- Hundreds of clinical and administrative jobs
- Increased housing demand near employment centers
- Secondary spending in nearby retail, dining, and service businesses
3. Infrastructure & Development Acceleration
Major institutional investments often align with:
- Roadway and traffic improvements
- Utility upgrades
- Broader public and private development momentum
For developers, landowners, and investors, healthcare infrastructure remains one of the strongest indicators of long-term economic stability — particularly in high-growth Florida markets like North Port.
Construction Timeline & Coordination
Construction is currently underway, beginning with underground utilities and stormwater infrastructure. Vertical construction is expected to follow, with major milestones progressing through 2026 and beyond.
SMH is coordinating closely with the City of North Port to minimize construction impacts, including scheduling certain high-impact operations — such as large concrete pours — during off-peak hours to reduce traffic disruption.
The hospital remains on track for completion and opening in 2028.
What This Means for Southwest Florida
The North Port project is part of a broader healthcare construction boom across Florida, driven by population growth, aging demographics, and rising demand for advanced medical services. Across the state, hospital systems are racing to expand capacity — and Sarasota Memorial’s North Port campus stands out as one of the region’s most significant investments.
For North Port, this isn’t just a hospital. It’s a community anchor, a job engine, and a catalyst for future commercial development. As construction continues, the campus will play a central role in shaping the city’s next chapter of growth.
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