NC's First Children's Hospital -- The Update and Impact
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University - longtime rivals in academics, sports, and health care - are partnering to build a $2–$3 billion children’s hospital campus near Apex, North Carolina, marking one of the most significant economic development projects in the state’s history.
The planned hospital will sit on 230 acres within the 1,100-acre Veridea mixed-use development along U.S. 1 and Highway 540. Initial plans include a 500-bed pediatric hospital, a 70-bed behavioral health facility, and more than 550,000 square feet of medical and administrative offices. The campus is designed to last a century or more and serve children from across North Carolina, the U.S., and abroad - particularly those with rare or complex conditions who currently must travel out of state for care.
Beyond health care, the project is expected to be a major economic engine. Estimates project 8,000+ direct jobs, nearly 10,000 indirect jobs, billions in long-term GDP impact, and significant growth in surrounding housing, retail, hotels, and infrastructure. A large Ronald McDonald House is also anticipated to support families staying long-term.
The site was chosen after evaluating multiple locations across the Triangle. Apex emerged as the top option due to lower land costs, room for long-term expansion, strong transportation access, and community support. The project is being led by NC Children’s, a nonprofit jointly created by UNC and Duke.
Funding remains a key challenge. The state has committed $320 million, but leaders expect to rely on a mix of additional state funding, philanthropy (potentially $500 million), debt financing, and future revenues. Despite uncertainties around Medicaid and federal policy, hospital leaders remain confident the project will move forward.
Overall, the joint children’s hospital is positioned as both a transformational health care investment for North Carolina’s children and a once-in-a-generation catalyst for growth in Apex and western Wake County.
*Image credit: ABC11 news
