The next major chapter in Geisinger’s healthcare infrastructure investment is underway as the Pennsylvania-based healthcare system breaks ground on an $880 million expansion and modernization project at its flagship Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

The project—one of the most ambitious in the hospital’s history—is being designed and built by a team led by Philadelphia-based architect EwingCole and Baltimore-based general contractor Whiting-Turner, according to a May 13 announcement from EwingCole.

At the heart of the expansion is an 11-story inpatient tower that will transform patient care and emergency services at the Danville campus. The tower will house a completely redesigned and significantly expanded emergency room that will double the square footage of the current ER, increasing the number of beds from 45 to 60.

“The centerpiece of the expansion is the construction of an 11-story tower near the front of the hospital, which will feature a new, larger emergency room that will double the square footage of the current space and increase the number of beds from 45 to 60,” the release said.

In addition to the new emergency department, the tower will enable a major upgrade across multiple care units. Adult medical-surgical rooms will be converted to 100% private patient rooms, enhancing comfort, safety, and infection control. Updates are also planned for the operating rooms and intensive care units as part of the overall modernization strategy.

“Additionally, the project will transition the hospital to 100% private rooms for adult medical-surgical units,” the release added.

Supporting infrastructure will also see significant improvements. A multi-level parking garage will be constructed adjacent to the new tower to accommodate increased patient and visitor traffic. This follows a recently completed road reconfiguration project that improved traffic flow and cleared the way for the expansion footprint.

“Alongside medical facilities, the construction team will build a multi-level parking garage adjacent to the new tower. It follows a recently completed road project that created a more efficient traffic pattern in front of the hospital and made room for the expansion,” according to the release.

Site preparation is currently underway, with foundation work scheduled to begin this summer. The full project is expected to be completed and open to patients by 2029.

“Site preparations in front of the hospital are already underway and foundation work is planned to start this summer,” the release confirmed. “The tower is expected to be complete and open to patients by 2029.”

Broader Geisinger Construction Efforts

The Danville tower is one piece of a much broader investment in healthcare infrastructure by Geisinger across Pennsylvania. The organization has engaged a number of contractors in recent years on major projects including:

• Turner Construction (New York City): $900 million expansion of the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre.
• Warfel Construction (East Petersburg, PA): $36 million Acadia Geisinger Behavioral Health Hospital, also in Danville.
• Quandel Enterprises (Harrisburg, PA): Renovation and additions to the Foss Home executive offices in Danville.
• Sordoni Construction (Forty Fort, PA): Construction of the Geisinger Medical Center Knapper Clinic in Danville.

These developments come as healthcare systems across the U.S. respond to evolving patient needs, aging facilities, and the demand for more flexible, private, and technology-integrated treatment environments.

The Geisinger Medical Center expansion is expected to have long-term benefits for both the healthcare system and the surrounding communities, including job creation during construction and improved access to emergency and inpatient services once completed.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.