by
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | November 14, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has begun construction on North Port’s first full-service hospital, launching a multiyear project aimed at improving access to care in one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities.
The $507 million development will rise on a 32-acre parcel along North Sumter Boulevard. Scheduled to open in 2028, the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital–North Port will start with 100 inpatient beds and has been designed with flexibility to expand to more than 400 beds over time. Three upper floors will initially be built as shell space, enabling the facility to nearly double its capacity in future phases without structural overhaul.
“This is a historic milestone for our health system, North Port and the south county region,” said Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder during a November 7 groundbreaking ceremony that drew community leaders, hospital staff, and elected officials.
Ad Statistics
Times Displayed: 3899
Times Visited: 9 Stay up to date with the latest training to fix, troubleshoot, and maintain your critical care devices. GE HealthCare offers multiple training formats to empower teams and expand knowledge, saving you time and money.
The nine-story hospital will be joined by a three-story medical office building and will offer a wide range of emergency, medical, surgical and specialty services. The first floor will include emergency and imaging services along with administrative offices, a cafeteria, and a coffee bar. Surgical suites will be located on the second floor, while private inpatient rooms will occupy the fourth through sixth floors. The third floor will house mechanical infrastructure.
Planning for the hospital has been underway for several years. The health system’s governing board approved funding for the project earlier this year.
Jeff Wesner, president of SMH-North Port, said the site will soon evolve into “a beautiful medical campus with a state-of-the-art, full-service hospital.”
U.S. Congressman Greg Steube and North Port mayor Phil Stokes were among those marking the occasion. “A hospital of this scale will transform the quality of life here,” said Stokes. “This means fewer long drives for care, more convenience and improved access.”
SMH, based in Sarasota, operates two other hospitals in Sarasota and Venice. The North Port facility will be its third acute care campus.
