Charleston officials are getting ready to submit the architectural review of the $1 billion cancer hospital at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), which is moving closer to reality. The proposed MUSC cancer hospital would thus create South Carolina’s first cancer-only hospital. The project will be situated on the historic MUSC campus at the corner of Ashley Avenue and Calhoun Street next to Rutledge Tower. The Charleston Board of Architectural Review will review the modern facility’s impact on Charleston’s historic character in the meantime.
The MUSC cancer hospital would occupy approximately 600,000 square feet and would not be taller than 250 feet in downtown Charleston. In particular, the facility has 100 beds for inpatients, 124 examination rooms and 14 operating rooms. Therefore, the hospital consolidates all cancer services that are currently spread across the campus into one center. Another major hospital that is facing setbacks is the University of Iowa Health Care which has been scrapped off. As a result, the hospital system is moving forward with “early work” on $72.5 million in short-term renovations and expansions at both the university and downtown locations.
MUSC Cancer Hospital Provides cutting-edge treatment and technology.
The hospital would have 94 chairs for chemotherapy and immunotherapy infusions and a 24/7 urgent care unit for cancer patients. In addition, stem cell transplants, CAR T-cell therapy, radiation oncology, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, intraoperative MRI, and proton therapy are advanced treatments. The MUSC cancer hospital would be the only proton therapy center in South Carolina, which would enhance treatment options for South Carolina residents. The MUSC cancer hospital will also create Phase I clinical trial units and precision medicine programs to facilitate cutting-edge research. Cancer is South Carolina’s second leading cause of death, with about 35,000 new cases and 11,000 deaths each year. Furthermore, the number of new cancer cases is expected to rise by almost 40% from 2023 to 2033.
MUSC Cancer Hospital addresses access and regional healthcare disparities
Many South Carolina patients no longer have to travel out of state for advanced cancer treatment at the MUSC cancer hospital. In particular, Frank Frazier, a cancer survivor, went to Georgia for proton therapy in 2021, and had to deal with high travel expenses and insurance issues. In addition, having all cancer care in one place in Charleston decreases patient stress and helps families stay involved in treatment. The hospital’s “one-stop shop” design enhances collaboration between physicians, researchers and clinical trial teams. Moreover, the close proximity of research laboratories enhances the partnership between researchers and clinicians to promote cancer treatment innovation.
Project Overview
- Project Name: MUSC Cancer Hospital
- Value: $1 Billion
- Location: Ashley Avenue and Calhoun Street, Charleston, South Carolina
- Developer: Medical University of South Carolina
- Status: Architectural review beginning September 2026, completion targeted 2030
Scope
- 600,000-square-foot facility
- 14-story building (below 250-foot height limit)
- 100 inpatient rooms
- 124 exam rooms
- 14 operating rooms
- South Carolina’s first cancer-exclusive hospital
Highlights
- 24/7 cancer-dedicated urgent care unit
- 94 chemotherapy/immunotherapy infusion chairs
- Proton therapy center (only one in South Carolina)
- CAR T-cell therapy and stem cell transplants
- Gamma Knife radiosurgery and intraoperative MRI
- Phase I clinical trial units and precision medicine programs
Key Developments
- Architectural Review Board meeting September 2026
- Project site on historic MUSC campus
- $250 million fundraising campaign underway
- Combination funding: government grants, institutional funds, private donations
- Rutledge Tower services relocation to alternate locations
Challenges
- Integrating modern 14-story facility into historic Charleston
- Managing construction impacts on MUSC campus traffic and parking
- Coordinating service relocations from multiple existing buildings
- Balancing architectural aesthetics with healthcare facility requirements
- Addressing flood mitigation and parking during construction
Outlook
- Architectural Review Board approval targeted fall 2026
- Construction beginning 2027
- Full operational opening targeted 2030
- Expansion of cancer care access across rural South Carolina
- Elimination of out-of-state treatment travel for many patients
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