13k SF AdventHealth Auburndale ER Reaches Construction Milestone

• Construction has topped out on the new AdventHealth Auburndale ER at 1036 U.S. Highway 92 W. in Auburndale, Florida.
• The 13,000-square-foot emergency department is expected to open in early 2027 and will expand emergency healthcare services across Polk County.
• The facility will feature 12 private exam rooms, advanced imaging technology, a full-service laboratory, and is expected to create more than 35 jobs.

What the New Emergency Department Will Include

Construction has reached a major milestone on the AdventHealth Auburndale ER with the placement of the building's final structural beam. Located at 1036 U.S. Highway 92 W., the 13,000-square-foot standalone emergency department is being developed to meet the growing healthcare needs of Polk County. Once completed, the facility will include 12 private emergency exam rooms, advanced diagnostic imaging services including X-ray, CT, and ultrasound, a full-service laboratory for rapid testing, pediatric emergency care, pharmacy services, and respiratory therapy. The project is being developed by AdventHealth, with Robins & Morton serving as the general contractor and HuntonBrady as the project's architect.

What This Means for Polk County

The new emergency department is designed to improve access to emergency medical care as Polk County continues to experience rapid population growth.

"With the massive growth in Polk County, it is essential that we continue to work to ensure our community has access to exceptional emergency care close to where they live when they need it most," said Jennifer Wandersleben, CEO of the AdventHealth Southwest Florida Region.

She added that the new facility is intended to provide families with greater peace of mind while expanding AdventHealth's presence in the community. In addition to expanding healthcare services, the emergency department is expected to create more than 35 new jobs once it begins serving patients.

What the Construction Milestone Represents

The topping-out ceremony marks the completion of the building's primary structural framework and signals the transition into the next phase of construction, including exterior finishes, interior buildout, and installation of medical equipment.

"Reaching this topping out milestone on the AdventHealth Auburndale ER is a meaningful moment for our team and for the Auburndale community," said Todd Watson, Division Manager at Robins & Morton. "This new facility reflects the kind of thoughtful, patient-centered care environment that AdventHealth is known for delivering."

Construction crews will now focus on completing the interior spaces in preparation for the facility's planned opening.

What Happens Next

The AdventHealth Auburndale ER remains on schedule to open in early 2027. Once operational, the facility will provide around-the-clock emergency care while helping meet the increasing demand for healthcare services across Auburndale and the greater Polk County region. The project represents another investment in Florida's expanding healthcare infrastructure as providers continue to add facilities in fast-growing communities.