VCU Health inpatient tower expands to 16 stories, nearly 600 beds

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is in the early planning stages to add eight additional stories to its inpatient tower, expanding the initial facility into a 16-story tower with nearly 600 beds.

Danielle Pierce, the director of public relations at VCU Health, confirmed the second phase on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

"We are still in the early planning stages for the tower," Pierce wrote in a statement provided to 8News. "This is a very complex effort with extensive design, pre‑construction, construction and commissioning phases, and we are engaging subject‑matter experts to support us with the planning work."

Diamond-shaped tower in place of the visitor parking deck, the Health Science Library and the Strauss Research Laboratory, per July 2025. (Photo Courtesy: VCU Health)

New inpatient hospital building would connect to the Critical Care Hospital, per July 2025. (Photo Courtesy: VCU Health)

The first phase of construction would include constructing a diamond-shaped hospital building at VCU Health Medical Center, standing eight stories and holding about 240 beds, per officials. This would convert double-occupancy rooms into single-occupancy.

As of the time of reporting, VCU Health doesn’t have firm details to share yet, including the project budget. They could also not determine its size, cost or set a timeline for completion.

"What remains unchanged is our broader commitment to increasing access and better serving the people of the Commonwealth through thoughtful, long-term investment in the health of our communities," Pierce wrote.

The tower will be located in place of the visitor parking deck, Health Science Library and Strauss Research Laboratory, and is set to connect to the Critical Care Hospital.

No further details are available as of the time of reporting.