If you’ve driven around 16th Street and Capitol Avenue or I-65 downtown, you’ve seen all of the construction happening for the new IU Health Hospital — and you’ve probably wondered when it will all be done. It’s taking shape, but still has a way to go.
The centerpiece of the 44-acre campus, the new hospital, will have more than 2 million sqft of space, consist of three towers, and stand 16 stories tall. It will have 50 operating rooms, 380 outpatient exam rooms, and be able to accommodate 864 beds.
Patients will be able to receive a wide range of services including surgery, medical imaging, clinical research trials, and care for a variety of medical conditions. The hospital will support cancer, cardiovascular, and neuroscience clinical institutes.
IU Health said the purpose of building the new hospital is to:
- Expand its medical campus to meet the needs of future patient care
- Attract top medical and research professionals
- Consolidate adult care services at Methodist and University hospitals to save both hospitals $50 million a year in operating costs
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the trajectory of health in Indiana,” Jim Mladuchy, VP of design and construction for IU Health, told WTHR. “We’re the only academic medical center in the state, and this will allow us to be able to attract and retain the best and brightest for all Hoosiers.”
The expansion of the IU Health Methodist campus extends from 16th to 12th streets and from Capitol Avenue west to I-65. The main entrance of the hospital will be located off Senate Avenue, just south of 16th Street.
The hospital’s official name has not been announced yet. The $2.3 billion project is expected to open in late 2027. In the meantime, keep up with current road and sidewalk closures.