Layton Construction has reached a milestone in Loxahaciae, Florida, by placing the final beam on the HCA Palms West Hospital tower expansion. The project is designed to support the region's healthcare needs as Florida faces a significant physician shortage, with an estimated gap of nearly 18,000 doctors expected by 2030.
The expansion also addresses a looming retirement cliff in the state's healthcare workforce, noting that 35% of practicing physicians in Florida are age 60 or older.
The tower expansion, built by Layton Construction, will feature two classrooms intended to train future healthcare professionals. The 72,184-square-foot single-story horizontal expansion includes 42 med-surg patient rooms, a renovated main hospital entrance and lobby, and an expansion to Materials Management.
Additionally, the project includes major CEP upgrades to support future infrastructure growth for upcoming hospital expansion projects. The new tower also contains structural foundations designed to accommodate four future inpatient and outpatient floors.
Layton Construction is also working on an expansion of the Palms West emergency room. This portion of the project will increase the space by 125% to create a 6,112-square-foot facility, which will add a nurse station, 10 exam rooms, and an ER admittance desk.
According to Layton Project Manager Brad Walker, maintaining daily facility operations has been a top priority during the expansion of the existing campus. Walker stated that the Palms West tower expansion demonstrates the planning and coordination necessary for delivering complex healthcare projects in active environments.
The tower expansion is scheduled for completion in spring 2027, while the ER expansion is expected to be finished in summer 2027.
