On Oct. 23, officials from Methodist Hospital Northeast celebrated a major milestone for the Live Oak campus: the placement of the last structural beam for a $146 million patient tower. The three‑story addition, which broke ground in January, marks the completion of the building’s core framework and moves the project into interior fit‑out and equipment installation.
What the new tower will bring
When finished, the tower will add roughly 100,000 square feet of space to the Live Oak campus. The expansion includes:
- 14 additional critical‑care beds
- 64 new medical‑surgical beds
- A modern kitchen to support patient and staff dining
- A larger communal eating area for patients and families
Hospital CEO Jerrica George emphasized that the new space will allow Live Oak to fully privatize its patient rooms, giving families greater comfort and privacy during treatment.
Design and construction partners
The tower was designed by Austin‑based HKS Architects, known for health‑care projects that blend functionality with patient‑centered design. Construction is being handled by San Antonio‑based Brasfield & Gorrie, a firm with a long record of delivering large‑scale health‑care facilities across Texas.
Impact on the community
Live Oak Hospital serves residents of New Braunfels, Comal County and the surrounding Hill Country. The added capacity is expected to reduce wait times for both critical‑care and routine medical‑surgical services, supporting the region’s growing population. By expanding inpatient beds and creating private rooms, the hospital aims to improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall experience for families.
Local leaders have praised the project as a sign of confidence in the area’s economic and health‑care future. The expansion also creates construction jobs in the short term and, once operational, will generate additional staffing positions in nursing, support services and administration.
Next steps
With the structural phase complete, the project now moves to interior build‑out, including the installation of medical equipment, finishing of patient rooms and the outfitting of the new kitchen and dining spaces. The hospital expects the tower to be fully operational by late 2027, aligning with projected community health‑care needs.
Methodist Hospital Northeast’s investment underscores a broader commitment to expanding quality health‑care access throughout Central Texas, reinforcing Live Oak Hospital’s role as a cornerstone of the region’s medical infrastructure.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
