Aurora, CO – UCHealth is excited to bring a new hospital and advanced health services to residents in Highlands Ranch and Douglas County. The six-story hospital, opening in 2018, is projected to cost almost $315 million and will have room to expand in the future as the needs of the growing community change.
The architect is WHR Architects and BSA LifeStructures is doing the medical planning for the medical office building only. No general contractor has been selected to date.
The new health campus, including both inpatient and comprehensive outpatient services, will be built near Lucent Boulevard and C-470. The population of this quickly growing area of Colorado is projected to increase by more than 25% by 2025. The new health campus will ensure residents have access to the highest quality care, close to home.
“It will be an honor to serve the residents of Highlands Ranch, Douglas County and Jefferson County at this innovative hospital and health campus,” said Elizabeth Concordia, president and CEO of UCHealth. “Through our partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, UCHealth is able to provide the latest treatments and best care for our patients. This new location will make that nationally-recognized care far more convenient for residents of this area.”
UCHealth will partner with both community physicians and with the CU School of Medicine to provide care at the Highlands Ranch Hospital. The new hospital will open with 72 inpatient beds and will provide an ICU, operating rooms, advanced cardiac services, an emergency department and complete imaging capabilities.
“Specialists at the CU School of Medicine and University of Colorado Hospital offer clinical trials and innovative treatments sometimes years before they’re more broadly available, giving patients the best possible outcomes,” said Dr. Rich Schulick, chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “The new hospital will enable patients in this area to receive many of these advanced treatments without traveling to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.”
The new medical campus will occupy 33 acres of the newest Shea Properties development on the last vacant property in Highlands Ranch. The entire master plan spans nearly 100 acres and is organized around a future public park which will have an urban feel and will include a special art element. UCHealth is building on land owned by the Englewood McLellan Reservoir Foundation (EMRF). Shea Properties and Shea Homes will complete the remaining portion of the development.
“Shea Properties will break ground on this development called Central Park which will create an exciting mixed-use community within Highlands Ranch,” said Peter Culshaw, executive vice president of Shea Properties. “We will kick off this development with a unique restaurant and specialty retail village at the northwest corner of the site. Unlike other neighborhood centers within the metro area, this will be on a more intimate scale than most.”
Shea Properties will also introduce a mix of 280 rental townhomes and apartments east of the retail village. “This community will be a special design and the first introduction of a three-story townhome rental in Highlands Ranch anchored by a large, resort-style clubhouse fronting on Central Park,” added Peter Culshaw. Shea Homes is also introducing a single family home community with 200 houses nearby.
The health campus and business park will generate a significant economic impact for Douglas and Jefferson counties, including 500-600 construction jobs at the site. UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital will provide approximately 400 highly-paid health care positions when it opens.
“Central Park and the companion health campus will enhance Douglas County’s reputation as an extremely desirable, quality, family-friendly community,” said Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella. “We recognize the significant economic impact and quality of life value this development brings to Highlands Ranch and all of Douglas County,” she added.
Rendering courtesy of UCHealth
