A major stage in the Princess Alexandra Hospital expansion has been reached in Woolloongabba, with expanded Building 1 now structurally complete after the final concrete pour marked a key moment in the hospital’s growth.
Woolloongabba Expansion Reaches Its Highest Point
The Princess Alexandra Hospital expansion has reached a significant construction achievement in Woolloongabba, with expanded Building 1 now structurally complete.
The milestone was marked by a topping out ceremony on 26 May, following the final concrete pour on the building. It signals a major shift in the project, with work now moving further into the internal fit-out stage as new hospital spaces begin to take shape.
The more than $748 million expansion is being built above the existing emergency department and will add four new floors to the hospital. Once complete, the project is expected to deliver 249 new inpatient beds, 13 cancer treatment bays, expanded pharmacy and medical imaging services, and a refurbished admission and recovery area for the cardiac catheter lab.
A Visible Step Forward For PA Hospital
For patients, staff and visitors moving through the PA Hospital campus, the structural completion of expanded Building 1 marks one of the clearest signs yet of the scale of the upgrade.
The project is designed to support growing demand for specialist, emergency and acute healthcare services across south-east Queensland. PA Hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in the network and provides specialist care for patients from across Queensland.
The expansion will also include 30 extra intensive care bed and treatment areas, new cancer and kidney disease treatment services, and upgrades to essential support areas. Pharmacy, medical imaging and kitchen services are among the areas being expanded to support the additional beds and clinical spaces.
Building New Capacity Above An Existing Emergency Department
One of the defining features of the PA Hospital expansion is that the new floors are being built above the existing emergency department, allowing the hospital campus to grow while continuing to operate.
The completion of the building structure moves the project closer to its next phase, where internal spaces will be fitted out for future clinical and support use. Practical completion is expected in mid-2027.
Planning for the upgrade has been shaped by clinical service needs, population growth, patient and community feedback, and advice from construction and design specialists. Clinical and public spaces have also been developed with input from clinicians, architects and user groups.
What Patients And Visitors May Notice
Construction activity remains part of daily life around the PA Hospital campus. Patients and visitors may continue to notice construction noise, altered entry and exit points, and changes to traffic flow or parking.
People travelling to the hospital have been advised to allow extra time for their visit. Public transport may also be a practical option where possible while works continue.
Visitors are also being asked to follow safety signs and directions from traffic controllers or construction workers during the construction period.
The milestone marks more than progress on a building. It represents a concrete step towards additional hospital capacity, more treatment areas and expanded services at one of south-east Queensland’s major health facilities.
With the structure of expanded Building 1 now complete, the focus turns to preparing the new floors and support areas for use, bringing the PA Hospital expansion closer to its expected completion in mid-2027.
Published 27-May-2026
