Plans for New Intermountain Health LDS Hospital in Downtown Salt Lake City Unveiled

New downtown Intermountain Health Hospital will expand access, enhance patient care, and strengthen community for generations to come

Salt Lake City, UT (PRUnderground) September 3rd, 2026

New plans for the Intermountain Health LDS Hospital in downtown Salt Lake City were recently shared, marking a transformational investment in the future of healthcare for Utah residents and reaffirming a commitment to serving the community for generations to come.

The new hospital will be located on an approximately eight-acre site at 745 South State Street, which was previously the longtime home to Sears retail store, which closed in 2018. 

The new hospital will anchor a major downtown development and provide a modern, patient-centered environment designed to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Salt Lake County, South Davis County, and the broader Intermountain region.

"For more than 120 years, Intermountain LDS Hospital has been a trusted healthcare destination, serving generations of families since opening in 1905," said Heather Wall, president of Intermountain LDS Hospital. "What began as a small pioneer community hospital has grown into one of the nation's most respected healthcare facilities. The new hospital will honor that legacy while creating a foundation for the next century of extraordinary care."

Following extensive analysis of community health needs in Salt Lake City, patient trends, facility requirements, and long-term growth projections, Intermountain determined that constructing a replacement hospital would provide greater value and flexibility than modernizing the existing campus, which is in a residential neighborhood in Salt Lake City's Avenues District. 

"We're thrilled to have a downtown Intermountain LDS Hospital built to support our thriving downtown community and the entire city with improved access to world-class healthcare," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "This will be a tremendous benefit and resource for all of our residents."

The new hospital will be designed to deliver advanced state-of-the-art care in an urban downtown setting while creating an accessible and patient-centered environment for those receiving care along with their families, and caregivers.

"This project is about preparing healthcare for the future while honoring more than 100 years of service to the community," said Wall. "The new Intermountain LDS Hospital campus will expand access, provide a modern healing environment, support economic growth, and help ensure that Salt Lake City remains home to exceptional healthcare for generations to come."

Patients at the new Intermountain LDS Hospital will benefit from improved access to emergency and critical care services with convenient freeway access, including Interstate 15, Interstate 80, and Interstate 215. There are also many public transit options adjacent to the new hospital campus, which will improve access for everyone.

"This is a once-in-a-generation investment in the health and well-being of our community," said Ralph Jean-Mary, president of Intermountain Health's Utah Central Market. "The new Intermountain LDS Hospital reflects our unwavering commitment to providing safe, high-quality, accessible care to residents. It will allow us to better serve patients, support our caregivers, embrace innovation, and meet the healthcare needs of the community for future generations."

Intermountain Health leaders say the hospital will continue its long-standing role as a trusted healthcare provider while strengthening key service lines including trauma care, women's health, orthopedics, cancer care, intensive care, behavioral health, and newborn services.

Designed with patients and caregivers at the center of every decision, the new hospital will feature advanced technology, flexible clinical spaces, and welcoming healing environments. A signature atrium and dedicated respite areas will offer patients, families, and caregivers places for reflection and renewal. 

Sustainability also will be a key focus, making the facility one of the most energy and water efficient healthcare buildings in the region.

The new campus will include a 10-story hospital with more than 521,000 square feet of space and an attached seven-story medical office building. The development will also feature a public plaza at the northwest corner of the site, creating a welcoming gathering space that connects Main Street and State Street, enhancing the surrounding neighborhood.

"Our vision extends beyond building a hospital," said Eric Liston, president of Intermountain Health's Canyons Region, which includes Utah and Idaho. "We're helping create a healthier, stronger downtown Salt Lake City. This investment supports economic growth, expands healthcare access, and contributes to a vibrant community where people can live, work, play, and thrive." 

The project is expected to strengthen the regional economy while supporting approximately 2,000 jobs and generating more than $1.1 billion in annual local economic impact.

The new hospital will also continue Intermountain LDS Hospital's longstanding commitment to specialized care for women, newborns, and families. 

"Services will include an advanced Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, personalized birthing suites, maternal-fetal medicine, midwifery services, and family education programs designed to support parents before and after childbirth," said Wall. 

Additional services planned for the new downtown campus include a full-service emergency department, behavioral health access center, imaging center, ambulatory surgery center, endoscopy services, pharmacy, laboratory, dialysis center, 24/7 intensive care unit, orthopedic services, neurology, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, rehabilitation services, gastroenterology, urology, wound care, and other specialty programs.

Intermountain Health leaders emphasized that the project would not be possible without the collaboration and support of caregivers, physicians, donors, community leaders, public officials in Salt Lake City, construction partners, and countless others who share a vision for the future of healthcare in Salt Lake City.

"The story of Intermountain LDS Hospital has always been a story of community and service," said Wall. "This new hospital represents our promise that we will continue caring for families across Salt Lake County and South Davis County not only today, but for decades to come. We are building on a remarkable legacy while creating new opportunities to improve health and advance care for future generations."

Construction planning and development activities for the hospital are currently underway with work to prepare the site for the building project. 

Additional details regarding project milestones and timelines will be announced as they become available later this year. 

No final decisions have been made regarding the future use of the current Intermountain LDS Hospital campus in the Avenues after the new hospital opens. It will continue to serve patients as a full-service community hospital while hospital leaders determine its long-term use when the new downtown hospital opens.                                                       

Original Press Release.