North Carolina Children’s has acquired more than 200 acres in Apex in a land deal reported at nearly $90 million, advancing plans to build the state’s first freestanding children’s hospital. The transaction secures a large site for a new healthcare campus that is expected to require between $2 billion and $3 billion in total hospital development costs. Funding for the overall project is planned to come from a mix of state support, philanthropic donations and financing.
The nonprofit overseeing the initiative is a joint venture between the UNC and Duke health systems. North Carolina Children’s was formed in 2025 specifically to develop and operate the new campus, positioning the organization to coordinate planning, fundraising and delivery of specialized pediatric services on a single greenfield site.
The land purchased is located within the 1,100-acre Veridea master-planned development, situated along U.S. 1 and Highway 540 in Apex. By closing on the parcel after identifying it in 2025, the joint venture has locked in a substantial tract within a larger mixed-use development, providing room for a full-service medical campus and related facilities over time.
Current plans call for construction on the campus to begin in 2027. The hospital component is expected to include approximately 570 beds, with more than 100 of those beds designated for behavioral health. The combination of acute care and behavioral health capacity is intended to expand regional access to pediatric services while consolidating specialized care on a dedicated site.
The project represents a significant long-term commitment to children’s healthcare infrastructure, combining institutional backing from two major health systems with public and philanthropic support. As planning advances toward the 2027 construction start, the joint venture will continue to refine the campus program, align funding sources and prepare the site within the broader Veridea development framework.
By anchoring a large healthcare investment within a master-planned community, the campus is expected to influence the future build-out of Veridea and surrounding areas, drawing additional medical, support and complementary uses over time. The land acquisition solidifies the project’s physical footprint and enables the nonprofit partnership to move from site selection into pre-development and design for one of the region’s most substantial healthcare projects.
