CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 13 to mark the beginning of construction for a new 186,000-square-foot College of Medicine building. The $175 million project is the first of its kind in more than a century, specifically designed to accommodate the college’s growing student body of over 700 medical students. As the College of Medicine nears its bicentennial, university leaders decided to make this long-awaited investment in the campus’ future.

“Today is a hallmark for the next 200 years for MUSC and its College of Medicine,” said Dr. Terrence E. Steyer, dean of the College of Medicine and vice president for Medical Affairs. “We will continue to ‘change what’s possible’ through the education, research and personal connections made in this new building.”

Located at the heart of the MUSC campus, the new building will feature multiple entry points and be surrounded by greenery, including a large interior courtyard with a café and accessible pathways. The facility will offer a range of spaces for active learning, meetings, and socializing, including areas specifically designed for students, faculty, and staff. The design incorporates plenty of natural light with large windows, soft interior lighting, and wood paneling to create an inviting and modern atmosphere.

The design was led by the S/L/A/M Collective in partnership with Charleston-based Liollio Architects. The new building aims to consolidate the College of Medicine’s scattered facilities and create an environment tailored to both students and educators. As the demand for healthcare professionals in South Carolina grows, MUSC plans to expand its student capacity to help address the state’s predicted shortage of over 3,000 physicians in the coming decade.

“The new College of Medicine building is desperately needed to meet the demands for healthcare in our state,” Steyer said. “It will train students with the knowledge and compassion required to be successful physicians and meet the humanistic needs of patients.”

The new facility is expected to open in the summer of 2027.