Intermountain Health is planning to relocate the historic LDS Hospital from its longtime Avenues location to a new 10-story campus in downtown Salt Lake City, officials announced. The project will transform the former Sears property at 745 South State Street into a major medical hub, featuring a 521,000-square-foot hospital and an attached seven-story medical office building.
A New Era for Healthcare
The proposed downtown campus, situated on an 8.5-acre site, will include a public plaza at the northwest corner of the property, creating an outdoor gathering area between Main Street and State Street. According to Intermountain Health, the facility is designed to prioritize energy and water efficiency, aiming to become one of the most sustainable healthcare buildings in the region.
As Gephardt Daily reported on Sept. 2, 2026, Intermountain Health determined that constructing a replacement facility would offer more value and flexibility than modernizing the current campus. The existing hospital, located at 8th Avenue and C Street, has served the community since it opened in 1905. Intermountain Health noted that the current location is situated within a residential neighborhood in the Avenues District, which influenced the decision to move to a more central urban setting.
Intermountain LDS Hospital president Heather Wall stated that the new campus will expand access and provide a modern healing environment while honoring more than 100 years of service. The project is described by Ralph Jean-Mary, president of Intermountain Health's Utah Central Market, as a once-in-a-generation investment in the well-being of the community.
Comprehensive Medical Services
The new location offers improved access to a wide range of medical services through its proximity to major freeways, including Interstate 15, Interstate 80, and Interstate 215. The site also features multiple public transit options adjacent to the campus to assist patients and staff.
Planned medical services at the downtown facility include emergency and intensive care, women's and newborn services, behavioral health, cancer care, orthopedics, imaging, surgery, and various other specialty programs. Specifically, the hospital plans to offer an advanced Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, personalized birthing suites, maternal-fetal medicine, midwifery services, and family education programs.
Other specialized services will include an ambulatory surgery center, an endoscopy service, a pharmacy, a laboratory, a dialysis center, and a 24/7 intensive care unit. The facility is also slated to provide neurology, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, rehabilitation services, gastroenterology, urology, and wound care.
Economic and Community Impact
Intermountain Health estimates the new development will be a significant economic driver for the region. The hospital is expected to support approximately 2,000 jobs and contribute more than $1.1 billion to the local economy each year. The development will bring new activity to the site, which has remained vacant since the Sears store closed in 2018.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the project will be a tremendous benefit and resource for residents, supporting a thriving downtown community with improved access to world-class healthcare. Eric Liston, president of Intermountain Health's Canyons Region, added that the investment supports economic growth and contributes to a vibrant community where people can live, work, and play.
Timeline and Future Use
Construction is expected to take between three and five years, with Intermountain Health hoping to break ground before the end of 2026, pending final approvals. While development planning is currently underway to prepare the site, the company has not yet announced specific project milestones or timelines for the upcoming year.
The current LDS Hospital in the Avenues will remain open and continue to serve patients as a full-service community hospital throughout the development of the new campus. Intermountain Health stated that it has not yet decided how the existing property will be used once the new downtown location is operational.
Legacy of Service
The move marks a significant transition for an institution that has cared for Utah families since 1905. The decision to relocate follows an extensive analysis of community health needs in Salt Lake City, patient trends, facility requirements, and long-term growth projections.
