North Carolina Children’s Health (NC Children’s) has announced the selection of Apex as the location for its new campus. The facility will feature the only freestanding, independent children’s hospital in the Carolinas. A partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health, NC Children’s will be situated on approximately 230 acres at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540.
The development will include a 500-bed children’s hospital, an outpatient care center, 103 behavioral health beds for children and adolescents, and a research and education enterprise supported by UNC and Duke’s schools of medicine. It is expected to generate around 8,000 jobs in Apex and Wake County.
“We are incredibly excited to confirm Apex and Wake County as the home for NC Children’s,” stated Wesley Burks, M.D., CEO of UNC Health. He highlighted the campus’s potential to create a healthier future for children across North Carolina and the Southeast.
Craig Albanese, M.D., CEO of Duke Health, emphasized the importance of finding an appropriate location that offers space and access necessary for a world-class children’s hospital. “Most importantly, children with complex health issues will have access to highly specialized pediatric services right here in North Carolina,” he said.
Apex Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert expressed pride in welcoming NC Children’s to the community. “This transformational project will bring new jobs – not only strengthening our economy but creating opportunities for people to be part of something greater,” he commented.
North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner noted that this initiative represents progress for North Carolina’s citizens. “This sale of land held by our pension fund allows us to make a good return on investment,” Briner explained.
Scott Rechler, Chairman and CEO of RXR—the developer leading Veridea—expressed excitement about integrating NC Children’s into one of North Carolina’s dynamic mixed-use developments.
Mary E. Klotman, M.D., executive vice president of health affairs at Duke University, highlighted the potential for innovation with nearby businesses and universities due to this project.
Following today’s announcement, planning efforts are underway with groundbreaking anticipated in 2027; construction is expected to take approximately six years.
