Ohio State Wexner Opens New $2 Billion University Hospital Tower

The 26-story, 820-bed structure is the 10th tallest building in Columbus and staffs 12,000.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 4:18pm

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Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has opened its new $2 billion University Hospital tower, a 26-story, 820-bed structure that is the 10th tallest building in Columbus. The transition of 425 patients from other hospitals to the new tower went smoothly, and in the first 48 hours, the tower admitted 99 people, performed 40 surgeries, and delivered 27 babies.

Why it matters

The new tower was built to replace aging facilities and expand care for central Ohioans. It boasts specialized care units like women's health, labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care, adult burn, and organ transplant centers, as well as 100 isolation infection rooms to handle major public health outbreaks.

The details

The move of 425 patients from other hospitals to the new tower was completed in an 8-hour period, covering 124 miles. The tower is staffed by 12,000 employees and features 148 additional beds for the James Cancer Hospital. All services are now operational and fully staffed, with only two floors remaining unopened for future growth.

  • On Feb. 22, roughly 1,000 employees moved 425 patients into the new tower.
  • In the first 48 hours, the tower admitted 99 people, performed 40 surgeries, and delivered 27 babies.

The players

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

A Columbus-based health system that has opened a new $2 billion University Hospital tower.

Les Wexner

The Medical Center Board Chair whose relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led to protests demanding the health system drop the Wexner name.

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What’s next

All but two floors of the new tower are now in use, with the remaining spaces planned for future growth to meet the needs of central Ohio's growing population.

The takeaway

The opening of the new $2 billion University Hospital tower represents a major expansion of healthcare capacity and specialized services for central Ohio, demonstrating Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's commitment to meeting the region's growing medical needs.