Construction Tops Out at $563M BayCare Hospital Manatee in Palmetto

• Construction has topped out on BayCare Hospital Manatee, a $563 million healthcare campus under development in Palmetto, Florida.
• The approximately 450,000-square-foot hospital will include 154 private patient beds.
• BayCare Health System is developing the project, with Robins & Morton serving as general contractor and Gresham Smith as architect.
• The hospital is located about one mile north of the Interstate 75 and Interstate 275 interchange in Manatee County.
• Construction will now move into enclosure work, interior build-out and building systems installation ahead of a planned 2028 opening.

What the Topping-Out Milestone Means

Construction has reached full structural height on BayCare Hospital Manatee, a new $563 million healthcare campus in Palmetto. BayCare Health System and general contractor Robins & Morton marked the milestone with a topping-out ceremony on July 10. The event celebrated the placement of the hospital’s final structural steel beam. With the primary structural work reaching completion, crews can continue work on the building enclosure and interior spaces. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems will also be installed over the coming months.

“Reaching the topping out of BayCare Hospital Manatee is a proud milestone for our entire team and trade partners, and a reflection of the strong collaboration driving this project forward,” Robins & Morton Operations Manager Bryan Durkin said.

What BayCare Hospital Manatee Will Include

The new hospital will span approximately 450,000 square feet and include 154 private patient beds. The facility is intended to expand access to inpatient care, specialty services and other healthcare resources for residents of Manatee County and the surrounding South Tampa Bay region. The project represents one of BayCare’s largest capital investments and will expand the nonprofit health system’s presence in one of the fastest-growing areas along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

What the Project Team Is Delivering

BayCare Health System is leading the $563 million development, while Robins & Morton is serving as the project’s general contractor. Gresham Smith designed the healthcare campus. The project team will now focus on enclosing the structure, completing the interior build-out and installing the hospital’s major operating systems. The next phase of construction will prepare the building for its planned medical facilities, patient rooms and clinical services.

What the Palmetto Location Offers

BayCare Hospital Manatee is under development in Palmetto, approximately one mile north of the interchange between Interstate 75 and Interstate 275. The location will provide regional access for patients across Manatee County and the broader South Tampa Bay area. Its proximity to two major interstate corridors is expected to support convenient access as the surrounding region continues to grow. The hospital will also expand BayCare’s healthcare network into an area experiencing increased demand for medical services.

What the Hospital Will Mean for Manatee County

When it opens, BayCare Hospital Manatee will provide expanded inpatient and specialty healthcare services for the growing Manatee County community.

“As Manatee County’s only not-for-profit hospital reaches full height, it represents an important step toward expanding access to the high-quality, compassionate care BayCare is known for across West Central Florida,” BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners said.

The hospital is expected to open in 2028. Once completed, the 154-bed facility will serve patients across Manatee County and the surrounding South Tampa Bay region while strengthening BayCare’s broader healthcare network.