Apex selected as home for new NC Children’s Health Campus
The campus is expected to bring more than 8,000 jobs to southwestern Wake County
APEX, N.C. – With the goal of creating a brighter future for our children, North Carolina Children’s Health (NC Children’s) has chosen a location in Apex for its campus, which will include the only freestanding, independent children’s hospital in the Carolinas. NC Children’s, a partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health, will be built on approximately 230 acres of land at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540.
When complete, NC Children’s will bring approximately 8,000 jobs to Apex and Wake County, a 500-bed children’s hospital, a children’s outpatient care center, 103 children and adolescent behavioral health beds, and a research and education enterprise backed by the UNC and Duke schools of medicine.
North Carolina Children’s was warmly welcomed to Apex, North Carolina and Wake County by public officials and the community during our land announcement on July 10. Here’s a recap of the event. For complete remarks, watch the full event.
“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 230-acre NC Children’s campus will be seamlessly integrated into Veridea, a 1,000+ acre mixed-use community created by RXR featuring 8,000 new homes, 3.5 million square feet of retail and dining, 12 million square feet of office and research space, and a new Wake Tech Community College campus.
“Finding the right home for NC Children’s was among our top priorities, and this location offers the space and access required for a world-class children’s hospital,” said Craig Albanese, M.D., CEO of Duke Health. “From the moment children and families enter the campus, they will know they are in a place built just for them. 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.”
“As Mayor and the Chair of the Town’s Economic Development Committee, 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,” said Apex Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert.
“This transformational project will bring new jobs – not only strengthening our economy, but creating opportunities for people to be part of something greater: a space where hope, healing, and compassionate care come together for countless families.
“I’m deeply moved as I envision the children and families from across North Carolina, the nation, and even the world who will find care and comfort here,” Gilbert said. “This moment reflects the very heart of Apex – a compassionate community and the true peak of hope for all."
“North Carolina Children’s represents the very best of our state – bringing people together to propel North Carolina forward to the benefit of our citizens, and in this case, particularly our children,” said North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner.
“We are thrilled to help bring this vision to a reality,” said Briner. “This sale of land held by our pension fund allows us to make a good return on investment, for NC Children’s to secure a home in a growing and thriving community, and most importantly, our citizens and taxpayers to benefit from both. This is truly a win-win-win.”
“We're thrilled to welcome NC Children's to Veridea, one of North Carolina's most dynamic mixed-use developments,” said Scott Rechler, Chairman and CEO of RXR, the developer leading the Veridea project. “This premier pediatric healthcare facility will be perfectly positioned within Veridea's amenity-rich environment, furthering Apex's reputation as one of the fastest-growing communities in the thriving Research Triangle.”
In addition to announcing Apex and Wake County as its new home, the NC Children’s team today is issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) to design contractors as the next step on our journey to creating North Carolina’s only health system just for kids.
“With Apex as our home, NC Children’s will ensure that the Triangle remains a hub and a destination for the best pediatric scientists, teachers and clinicians – convenient to both medical school campuses, said Mary E. Klotman, M.D., executive vice president of health affairs of Duke University, chief academic officer for Duke Health and dean of the Duke University School of Medicine.
“I’m also tremendously excited about the potential for innovation and discovery with NC Children’s and nearby businesses and universities” Klotman said. “This is a huge opportunity for NC Children’s, for Apex, Wake County, and the entire region.”
Following today’s announcement, over the next several months, the NC Children’s team will be focused on site planning, with a groundbreaking anticipated in 2027 and construction expected to take approximately six years.
NC Children's Land FAQs
Site Selection
Why did you select this site?
There were several criteria for the location of the NC Children’s campus:
- A park-like setting that allows us to create a healing setting for patients and families now and into the future;
- Accessibility via major roadways and proximity to the airport;
- Ample space – greater than 150 acres – to accommodate the initial campus and future growth;
The land we selected – on 230 acres at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540 in Apex, meets these criteria. Additionally, the leaders for the Town of Apex and RXR, the developers of the planned Veridea development, are aligned with NC Children’s mission of building a world-class children’s health system for children and their families. This cultural and mission alignment will support construction and the ongoing operations of NC Children’s once it opens.
Apex is North Carolina’s 14th largest town, and among the state’s fastest growing towns. The airport, Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh are all within 20 – 30 minutes from Apex, which will ensure accessibility for our patients and families, and establish NC Children’s as a talent magnet to pediatric experts across the country. The property’s location at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540, and adjacent to NC-55, also ensures accessibility from multiple routes.
The new 230-acre NC Children’s campus will be seamlessly integrated into Veridea, a 1,000+ acre mixed-use community that features 8,000 new homes—including single-family residences, townhomes, and apartments—along with 3.5 million square feet of retail and dining options, 12 million square feet of office and research space, a new Wake Tech Community College campus, and more.
What other sites were considered?
We considered multiple other sites across the greater Triangle in multiple counties. We appreciate everyone who worked with us to evaluate multiple potential locations for NC Children’s over the past year, but we are not going to disclose these locations.
This location is just off the NC-540 toll road. Will NCC cover toll costs for patients and teammates?
Campus accessibility, congestion, traffic patterns and its location at the intersection of NC-540 and US-1, and adjacent to NC-55 were major factors in the selection of the Apex property due to its accessibility. The location is also accessible by multiple major roadways with no toll.
We will consider the toll road and its impact on patients, families and teammates in our planning over the next several years.
Is there any public transportation in the area?
Yes. GoTriangle and GoApex currently offer several existing bus routes in/around Apex and connecting to nearby communities.
What else is planned for the land next to the land for NC Children’s?
The 230 acres on which the NC Children’s campus will be built are part of the larger 1,200 acres planned for Veridea, which also includes plans for approximately 8,000 single-family homes and townhomes, and 3.5 million square feet of mixed-use space.
Economic Impact
How many jobs will this construction project offer
According to the IMPLAN model, which was used in-part for our economic development study, we estimate that the total construction jobs associated with the project will be in excess of 34,000, with labor income of more than $2 billion. There are more than 22,000 direct jobs alone associated with the construction.
How many people will NC Children’s employ once the campus is complete?
We estimate that NC Children’s will employ approximately 8,000 people once the new campus is inhabited. The initial construction will include the hospital, behavioral health hospital, and outpatient center of excellence. The size of the property leaves room for future growth, including a research enterprise, and retail and hospitality options for employees and patient families.
Community Impact
How will NC Children’s benefit Apex and the local economy?
Once fully built, the campus will generate >$1.1 billion in annual labor income from both direct and indirect jobs. Wages from direct jobs alone are expected to generate >$500 million in annual wages.
How do you plan to handle traffic and congestion?
This land is located at the intersection of two major highways, US 1 and NC-540, and adjacent to NC 55. Just as UNC Health and Duke Health have done with other major construction projects, NC Children’s leaders will work with the town and county to ensure we thoughtfully plan for construction impacts and traffic.
While construction projects can create disruption, we believe the short and long-term impacts NC Children’s will have on our children’s health and as an economic driver for Apex, Wake County and the region will be well-worth any challenges.
How do you plan to support the Apex and Wake County communities?
NC Children’s will be a world-class children’s health system, a local employer and supportive citizen in the town and county. We look forward to working with town and county leaders as we plan and build NC Children’s. Our leaders and teammates will be active and involved in ensuring that Apex and the surrounding communities continue to grow and thrive.
Timeline
When will you break ground on the new campus? When will it open?
The next several months will be focused on due diligence for the land itself. Our goal is to break ground by 2027.
The hospital is expected to open in the early 2030s. Other core services such as the children’s behavioral health hospital, ambulatory surgical center, or medical office building may open several years earlier.
How can I get involved or share my questions?
Please contact us with any ideas or questions at info@ncchildrens.org. You can also give to NC Children’s at this link.
