Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has announced plans for an $82.5 million rehabilitation pavilion at its Venice campus, expanding specialized inpatient and outpatient care for South Sarasota County residents. The project underscores SMH’s ongoing commitment to broadening access to advanced medical services closer to home.
The new facility will rise on the existing Venice hospital site as a four-story, 83,000-square-foot building, featuring outpatient therapy and administrative offices on the first floor, two levels of inpatient rehabilitation suites, and a fourth floor reserved as shell space for future expansion. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with an anticipated opening in 2028
The project follows a series of city zoning and development approvals that cleared the way for taller and denser medical construction along the Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Venice campus corridor.
In July 2025, the Venice City Council approved a new hospital zoning designation allowing future buildings on the SMH Venice campus to reach heights up to 150 feet—a significant increase from the city’s typical 35-foot limit.
Later that year, in September 2025, the council granted a separate height exception for another medical project, approving a structure up to 46 feet tall. These votes collectively reflect a growing willingness among city leaders to accommodate modern healthcare development within Venice’s evolving skyline.
Once complete, the rehabilitation pavilion will offer comprehensive care for patients recovering from strokes, traumatic injuries, and complex surgeries. The two inpatient floors will include approximately 50 private suites with state-of-the-art therapy spaces, while outpatient services will support ongoing recovery programs for local residents.
This project is designed to serve as a regional hub for rehabilitation care, relieving pressure on SMH’s main Sarasota campus and reducing the need for patients from the Venice area to travel long distances for treatment.
The new rehabilitation pavilion will not only expand healthcare access but also provide construction and healthcare jobs to the region. Venice city planners anticipate a strong economic ripple effect as more medical professionals and patients are drawn to the area.
The investment aligns with ongoing growth around the City of Venice, where hospital-related infrastructure is reshaping the economic landscape and supporting local businesses.