Development

Construction of Charlotte’s medical school is underway

By The’ Pham
Officials and speakers toss dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony for Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte and “The Pearl” Innovation District on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
Officials and speakers toss dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony for Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte and “The Pearl” Innovation District on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

Leaders in health care, education and government gathered in Charlotte Tuesday to break ground on Charlotte’s long-awaited medical school.

Wake Forest University School of Medicine plans to seat its first Charlotte students in 2024 and open the following year near McDowell and Baxter Streets. It will be the centerpiece of a $1.5 billion development Atrium Health officials are calling “The Pearl” innovation district. Plans include research facilities, a hotel, residential tower, offices and retail.

The approach to the medical school’s main building.
The approach to the medical school’s main building. Courtesy of Wexford Science & Technology; Image credit: ATCHAIN

Charlotte is the nation’s largest city without a four-year medical school, according to Atrium Health. Both the city and county have voted to approve $75 million each to the district. The medical school is a partnership with Atrium Health and Wake Forest School of Medicine.

This story was originally published January 17, 2023 at 1:51 PM.

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