APEX, N.C. – North Carolina Children’s Health (NC Children’s) has selected Apex as the location for its new campus, which will include the only freestanding, independent children’s hospital in the Carolinas. The project is a collaboration between UNC Health and Duke Health and will be built on about 230 acres at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540.
The NC Children’s campus is projected to create around 8,000 jobs in Apex and Wake County. It will feature 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 the UNC and Duke schools of medicine.
“We are incredibly excited to confirm Apex and Wake County as the home for NC Children’s,” said Wesley Burks, M.D., CEO of UNC Health and dean of the UNC School of Medicine. “This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Carolina and the Southeast, and we’re thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner.”
The site will be integrated into Veridea, a mixed-use community by RXR that includes homes, retail space, office areas, and a new Wake Tech Community College campus.
“Finding the right home for NC Children’s was among our top priorities,” said Craig Albanese, M.D., CEO of Duke Health. “Most importantly, children with the most complex health issues will have access to the most highly specialized pediatric services – right here in the heart of North Carolina.”
Apex Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert expressed his enthusiasm: “As Mayor… I want to share how extremely proud and excited I am about North Carolina Children’s coming to Apex – a golden moment for our community.”
North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner commented on the financial benefits: “This sale of land held by our pension fund allows us to make a good return on investment… This is truly a win-win-win.”
Scott Rechler from RXR added: “We’re thrilled to welcome NC Children’s to Veridea… furthering Apex’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing communities in the thriving Research Triangle.”
Mary E. Klotman from Duke University highlighted potential collaborations: “I’m also tremendously excited about the potential for innovation and discovery with NC Children’s…”
The next steps involve issuing requests for qualifications (RFQ) for design and construction contractors. Groundbreaking is expected in 2027 with construction taking approximately six years.
