Topping-Off Celebration for Bluffton Community Hospital
December 5, 2025
Construction on Bluffton’s first hospital reached a major milestone as Beaufort Memorial marked the official “topping-off” of the new Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital, located at 10 Innovation Drive, at the intersection of Bluffton and Buckwalter Parkways.
During the ceremony on December 4, hospital leaders, medical staff, project partners and community members signed the final steel beam before it was lifted into place, symbolizing the completion of the hospital’s structural frame.
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for Beaufort Memorial,” said Russell Baxley, Beaufort Memorial President and CEO. “This new Bluffton hospital allows us to bring the high-quality care our patients receive in Beaufort even closer to home for those living in the southern part of the county. Our communities are growing, and Beaufort Memorial is growing with them. This facility will significantly improve access to care for all Lowcountry residents.”
A First for Bluffton: Expanded Healthcare Access in Southern Beaufort County
This 28-bed, $103 million facility will be Bluffton’s first full-service hospital, equipped with:
- A 24/7 emergency department
- A modern surgery center
- A cardiac catheterization lab
- An inpatient acute nursing unit
- Comprehensive imaging and diagnostic services
With around 20% of Beaufort Memorial’s inpatient population coming from south of the Broad River, the new hospital will bring essential services closer to thousands of residents and help ease demand and increase access at the main campus in Beaufort.
Once operational, the facility will also support the recruitment of additional physicians, strengthening both primary and specialty care across the Lowcountry.
Construction Timeline and Project Progress
Sitework for the Bluffton Community Hospital began in February 2025, followed by a groundbreaking in May. Construction has advanced rapidly, with hospital completion expected in late 2026 and the first patients anticipated in early 2027.
The topping-off tradition – placing a tree or greenery and a flag atop the final beam – traces back to ancient Scandinavian practices meant to honor displaced tree spirits. Here, it symbolizes teamwork, safety and progress on major construction projects.
Community Collaboration Drives Milestone
“This moment would not be possible without the dedication and collaboration of so many – our leadership team, physicians, nurses, staff, architects, construction partners, donors and community members who believed in this project and supported it every step of the way,” said Steve Meyer, Chair of South of Broad Healthcare Board of Directors. “We still have work to do before we open our doors, but today, we celebrate the progress we’ve made and the bright future that lies ahead of Beaufort Memorial and our community.”
Learn more about the Bluffton Community Hospital and other Beaufort Memorial healthcare expansion projects throughout the Lowcountry.
