Healthcare is no longer confined to hospitals and large central campuses. The way we think about where care happens is changing rapidly. From outpatient centers in shopping plazas to urgent care facilities embedded in communities, the physical footprint of healthcare is becoming a central part of how organizations deliver value.
In the past, real estate in healthcare was considered a support function — acquiring property, constructing buildings, managing leases. Today, it’s strategic. The spaces healthcare systems operate in affect not only their operational efficiency but also who can access care, how quickly, and how sustainably an organization can grow.
The content below explores how this shift is playing out, what new challenges and opportunities it brings, and why real estate decisions are now core to delivering better healthcare — today and in the future.
The role of real estate in healthcare is evolving fast. What used to be seen mostly as a logistical need—finding space, managing leases, and building clinics—has now become a strategic pillar of healthcare planning. And for health systems, investors, and operators alike, the stakes have never been higher. Today, real estate decisions aren’t just about square footage or cost per square foot. They’re about access, growth, and patient experience. The right location can make or break a service line. A poorly placed clinic can sit empty, while one just a few miles away might be at capacity for months. These aren't theoretical challenges; they're real, and they're happening now. The shift toward outpatient care is one of the biggest forces reshaping space. Patients no longer expect all care to be tied to a hospital campus. They want convenience, closer to home, with shorter wait times and simpler navigation. Health systems are responding by expanding ambulatory footprints, leasing space in retail centers, and investing in off-campus facilities. It’s no longer unusual to see urgent care or imaging centers in shopping plazas or community hubs.
But with this change comes complexity. Zoning rules, lease negotiations, community impact studies, and long-term investment plans are all on the table. For healthcare leaders, that means partnering more closely with real estate experts and sometimes rethinking what success looks like. It’s not just about getting into space quickly. It’s about being in the right space, for the right reason, for the long haul. Real estate is also a big piece of financial picture. In an environment where margins are tightening, every lease, every square foot, and every construction decision carries weight. Mistakes are costly, and flexibility matters. Systems are increasingly looking at how to build more adaptive spaces, facilities that can shift with changing service lines, accommodate telehealth, or adjust for future demand.
On the flip side, investors and developers are recognizing that healthcare real estate isn’t just another asset class. It comes with a different set of priorities: regulatory constraints, clinician workflows, infection control standards, and patient accessibility. The most successful projects aren’t just about high returns; they’re about understanding healthcare from the inside out.
What’s clear is this: collaboration is critical. Real estate professionals, health system executives, clinical teams, and planners all need to be at the table from the outset. The best outcomes happen when strategy and space are aligned from day one, not retrofitted after the fact. And it’s not just about new builds. Many systems are sitting on underutilized assets, old campuses, oversized office space, outdated facilities, that could be transformed or reimagined to better serve today’s healthcare needs. But doing that requires creativity, capital, and a willingness to rethink what’s possible. In the end, real estate is not just a backdrop to healthcare. It shapes how care is delivered, who can access it, and how systems grow. It’s physical space, yes, but it’s also strategic space. And the decisions being made today will shape the healthcare experience for decades to come.
Elevating healthcare solutions through research and innovation on a global scale.
Connect with us to explore how our trusted solutions can help you reach your goals. Fill out the form below, and a member of our team will follow up with personalized details for your organization.
