St. Luke’s University Health Network is preparing to open a dedicated heart hospital at its Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township this October, completing what the network describes as the largest construction project in its more than 150-year history: a five-story, $252 million facility that will add 140 inpatient beds and 250 jobs to the Lehigh Valley.
The Biggest Build in St. Luke’s History
St. Luke’s broke ground on the heart hospital in 2024. The project encompasses a five-story structure added to the existing Anderson Campus on a roughly 500-acre property in Bethlehem Township along Routes 33 and 22 in Northampton County. WFMZ-TV 69 News recently gave reporters and cameras a look inside the facility, previewing finished cardiac operating suites and patient floors ahead of the formal opening.
At $252 million, the project surpasses all prior construction efforts in the network’s history in both total cost and square footage added. Construction is now in its final stages, with an October opening date confirmed.
Beds, Jobs and a New Fellowship
The new building will add 140 beds dedicated to cardiac patients, a significant expansion of St. Luke’s inpatient capacity in Northampton County. The network expects to hire 250 people to staff the facility, covering nursing, surgical, imaging, technical and support roles.
The hospital will also launch a new cardiac fellowship program, embedding graduate medical training directly in the facility. St. Luke’s has described the expanded teaching space as part of a longer-term commitment to building cardiology expertise in the Lehigh Valley, where heart disease remains among the leading causes of hospitalization.
Design Features: Helipad, New Cafeteria and Better Flow
Among the headline design elements: a rooftop helipad to expedite transfers of critically ill cardiac patients who need a higher level of care. The building also incorporates a new, larger cafeteria serving both the heart hospital and the existing campus population, along with layout choices intended to improve patient flow and reduce wait times for families and clinical staff. Officials have characterized the interior design as built around efficiency and a better patient experience throughout the stay.
At a Glance
- St. Luke’s Heart Hospital opens at Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township in October 2026.
- Cost: $252 million, the largest construction project in St. Luke’s 150-plus-year history.
- Five stories, 140 new inpatient beds, 250 new jobs, and a new cardiac fellowship program.
- Features include a rooftop helipad and an expanded cafeteria for the broader campus.
