Planned to serve the central Ohio region’s growing healthcare needs, University Hospital replaces and expands existing patient care space with up to 820 private patient rooms, advanced critical care units, maternity services, diagnostic and surgical suites, and a host of family-focused amenities designed to enhance the care experience. | Photo Credit (all): Lauren K Davis / Feinknopf
By Lindsey Coulter
Rising 26 stories above Cannon Drive, the new $1.9 billion University Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus represents both a leap forward in clinical capability and a demonstration of modern integrated design and construction delivery. Spanning 1.9 million square feet and scheduled to open in early 2026, this facility is the largest single-facility construction project ever undertaken by the university and one of the most complex hospital builds in the Midwest.
Planned to serve the central Ohio region’s growing healthcare needs, University Hospital replaces and expands existing patient care space with up to 820 private patient rooms, advanced critical care units, maternity services, diagnostic and surgical suites, and a host of family-focused amenities designed to enhance the care experience.
Collaborative Design Thinking
At the heart of the project’s design is an emphasis on human-centered spaces that support healing, collaboration and future-ready operations. The architecture and planning team, led by HDR, Inc., approached the tower as more than a functional facility — it was conceived as a campus anchor that integrates with existing hospitals and research centers.
According to HDR’s project description, the design blends monumental scale with a “human-scaled experience,” using a brick podium tied to campus language and high-performance glass above to create a building that is both substantial and welcoming. HDR’s use of parametric modeling helped optimize operational flows, phasing strategies and wayfinding throughout the complex.
The design team’s work also prioritized daylight and views — with large windows in patient rooms and public spaces — to reinforce wellness outcomes, an approach supported by research linking natural light to improved recovery.
John J. Warner, MD, CEO of OSU Wexner Medical Center and executive vice president at Ohio State, framed the design philosophy succinctly on the university’s project page: “Each detail of the new University Hospital’s design began by asking, ‘How can we provide the very best care and experience for patients and families?’”
Integrated Construction, Complex Delivery
Delivered under a Construction Management at-Risk model, the project brought together seasoned contractors including a joint venture between Turner Construction and The Walsh Group, with Smoot Construction Company contributing as part of the broader construction leadership team. The build also includes a new 1,900-space parking garage directly connected to the hospital via a covered bridge, improving accessibility for patients and families.
Smoot, a long-time partner with Ohio State, emphasized its deep regional experience. In describing its role and approach on university projects, Smoot notes in a statement that the firm “has worked continually on The Ohio State University for over a decade… delivering complex projects as if they were its first to avoid complacency.”
Construction staging on such a large academic campus posed unique logistical challenges, requiring phased sequencing to maintain access to adjacent clinical buildings while erecting one of Columbus’s tallest structures. Strategic sequencing allowed key mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to be installed early while structural work progressed upward — an approach that helps maintain schedule certainty on projects of this scale.
Patient-Focused Spaces and Technology Integration
The design and construction teams collaborated closely with OSU leadership to ensure the hospital would not only address current clinical needs but also remain adaptable for future breakthroughs. The tower includes specialized floors for maternity care — described as the building’s “jewel” with world-class accommodations and breathtaking views — and neonatal intensive care services previously unavailable in this form.
Advanced technology features are integrated throughout, from dedicated infrastructure for telehealth and clinical communications to streamlined staff support areas that prioritize workflow efficiency. Elements like express elevators directly to Labor and Delivery highlight the intentional design for clinical and operational excellence.
Opening a New Chapter in Care
As of early 2026, University Hospital welcomed its first patients, marking a significant milestone for central Ohio’s healthcare landscape. In opening remarks, Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. noted in a statement that “thousands of people have been working diligently for years to turn our vision for a transformational hospital that improves lives … into a reality.”
With advanced care for neurology, surgery, transplant services and more, the facility also strengthens connections with adjacent specialist centers such as the James Cancer Hospital and Ross Heart Hospital. The cathedral-like volume of the lobby, abundant daylight and intuitive circulation zones signal a new era of patient-centered design where architecture and construction intersect to support wellness and discovery.
Project Snapshot: University Hospital, OSU Wexner Medical Center
- Owner: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- Architect: HDR Inc.
- Construction Managers: Turner Construction / The Walsh Group (joint venture)
- Project Type: Inpatient Hospital Tower + Parking Garage
- Size: ~1.9 million sq. ft., 26 stories
- Beds: Up to 820 private patient rooms
- Specialties: Maternity care, ICU, operating suites, diagnostic imaging
- Groundbreaking: 2020
- Delivery Method: Construction Management at Risk
- Strategic Drivers: Patient-centered care, operational efficiency, future adaptability