CHARLOTTE, NC — DPR Rodgers (DPRR) recently celebrated the topping out of the new Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Main Bed Tower project. This milestone marks a pivotal moment in the construction of a 1.1 million-square-foot expansion at Atrium Health’s Main campus, poised to significantly enhance care for the community in Charlotte, North Carolina. DPR Construction is Rodgers’ joint venture partner for the project.
The 12-story expansion introduces a variety of new facilities designed to meet the complex needs of modern health care:
- Nearly 450 patient rooms are designed to accommodate more patients with enhanced care
- Over 50 operating and procedure rooms are equipped for a wide range of medical procedures and emergencies
- The emergency department can handle urgent care needs efficiently
- A rooftop helipad provides quicker, more efficient patient transportation in critical situations
- Dedicated spaces are on each floor for staff to recharge and maintain their well-being
- New pedestrian bridges and walkways improve access across campus
- A calming outdoor respite along the renovated greenway provides a peaceful escape for patients, visitors, and the community
The topping out ceremony was marked by the placement of the final steel beam, adorned with the American flag. Nearly 1,000 people attended the event, which not only celebrated the structural completion, but also the collaborative spirit that has defined the project. During the ceremony, individual headsets and live translation services were provided for all Spanish-speaking attendees.
During the ceremony, the DPRR team awarded special plaques to the trade partners in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the overall project. This gesture acknowledged the crucial role played by teams from SteelFab Inc., Carolina Structural Welding, Metrolina Steel Erectors, Lithko Contracting, LLC, and Heede Southeast, Inc..
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Attendees included Atrium’s administration, project managers from Meadows & Ohly and Storey Program Management, and design teams from NBBJ, Walter P Moore, WSP, and Kimley Horn.
“The Bed Tower project is an amazing endeavor based on its size, scale, and complexity," said John DeLony, Vice President Construction Operations at Rodgers. "When completed, it will significantly enhance Atrium Health’s ability to provide health, hope, and healing for the greater Charlotte community.”
In the weeks leading up to the topping out ceremony, a special initiative called the “beam signing roadshow” allowed Atrium Health team members from various departments to personally engage with the construction process. Ceremonial beams were transported to different locations around the campus, where employees and trade partners were invited to sign them. Additionally, a section of the basement wall was painted white to serve as a canvas for the workforce to sign.
