Barton Malow & Edifice Start Structural Steel Work on Roper St. Francis Hospital Campus
Barton Malow and Edifice, working as a joint venture, have officially begun structural steel installation at the future Roper St. Francis Healthcare hospital campus in North Charleston. This milestone marks a major transition in the construction of the $1.2 billion project, moving it from foundational below-grade work into the vertical construction phase where the building’s full structure will begin to take visible shape.
The new hospital campus is being developed on a 27-acre site and represents one of the most significant healthcare infrastructure investments in the region. Once completed, the facility will provide approximately 805,000 square feet of advanced medical space designed to meet the growing healthcare needs of the Lowcountry community. The project is currently scheduled for completion in 2029.
At full buildout, the hospital 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. These capabilities are designed to expand access to high-quality care while consolidating advanced clinical services into a modern, centralized campus.
The architectural design of the facility is led by E4H Environments for Health Architecture (a MOREgroup brand) in collaboration with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The design team has focused on creating a healthcare environment that balances operational efficiency with patient comfort, integrating modern medical infrastructure with a calming and healing-oriented setting.
According to Dan Buchta, the start of structural steel work represents one of the most anticipated phases of construction. He noted that this milestone is particularly meaningful because it allows the community to begin seeing the physical presence of the hospital emerge from the ground. He emphasized that the project remains on schedule and that the team is focused on maintaining momentum as construction progresses.
The Barton Malow | Edifice team is delivering the project using a target-value delivery (TVD) approach, a collaborative construction method that aligns design, budget, and schedule goals from the earliest stages of development. This model allows stakeholders to make informed design adjustments while ensuring that cost and timeline constraints are maintained. It has proven especially valuable in managing the complex challenges associated with the site.
Among the key site-specific challenges are difficult seismic conditions, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) height restrictions, and a high water table. Each of these factors has required careful engineering and coordination between design and construction teams to ensure the building meets regulatory requirements while maintaining structural integrity and functionality. The TVD approach has helped the project team proactively address these challenges without compromising the overall vision or performance of the facility.
The campus master plan is designed around a central pedestrian green belt that connects the site’s three main parcels. This landscaped corridor will feature shaded walkways, gardens, and open plazas intended to encourage movement, interaction, and relaxation. The design emphasizes walkability and natural integration, creating a campus environment that feels open and connected rather than fragmented or institutional.
Architecturally, the hospital draws inspiration from the natural environment and historic urban character of the Lowcountry region. Elements of native flora, regional textures, and traditional street patterns have been incorporated into the design to create a sense of place and continuity with the surrounding community. The interiors are also being developed with a strong focus on patient-centered care, incorporating natural light, calming materials, and intuitive wayfinding systems to enhance the healing experience.
The future hospital will also continue a long-standing legacy of healthcare service in Charleston. Roper St. Francis Healthcare traces its origins back to 1856, when the original Roper Hospital first opened in downtown Charleston. The North Charleston facility will become the fourth location in the system’s history, representing nearly two centuries of continuous service to the region.
As healthcare needs continue to evolve, the new campus is expected to play a critical role in expanding capacity, improving access to specialized services, and supporting long-term regional health outcomes. The integration of advanced medical technology, flexible care spaces, and modern infrastructure will allow the hospital to adapt to future demands while maintaining high standards of patient care.
The start of structural steel installation is more than just a construction milestone—it signals the physical realization of a long-term vision for healthcare in the region. As the framework rises, the project will gradually transform from architectural plans and groundwork into a fully functioning medical campus.
With continued collaboration between construction teams, designers, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders, the project is steadily advancing toward its 2029 completion target. Once finished, the new Roper Hospital campus is expected to stand as a major regional healthcare hub, combining scale, innovation, and patient-focused design to serve generations to come.
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