A report from the Memphis Business Journal (MBJ) revealed that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) is moving ahead with plans for a new $350 million College of Medicine and Interdisciplinary Building on its Memphis campus.

According to MBJ, the Tennessee State Building Commission approved UTHSC’s request on Friday, Aug. 13, to begin selecting a designer for the project. The commission also authorized $10 million for planning, design, and pre-construction work. The proposed building, estimated at 275,000 to 300,000 square feet, received approval from the UTHSC advisory board in November 2024.

Austin Oakes, the University of Tennessee’s associate vice president for capital projects, presented the proposal to the commission. With the approval, UTHSC can now move forward with hiring a design team and using a construction manager/general contractor delivery method.

Most of the building will be dedicated to academic space, with additional areas for offices, amenities, and public use. Tennessee State House Speaker Cameron Sexton asked whether the new facility would accommodate larger medical school classes. Oakes said the university aims to expand its College of Medicine enrollment from 175 to 225 students and will charge the design team with ensuring flexibility for future growth.

The facility will be located on the green space between the UTHSC College of Pharmacy and the former Holiday Inn building, which is slated for demolition along with adjacent structures at a cost of $19.37 million.

If state funding continues on schedule, construction could begin as early as January 2028, with the project expected to reach its midpoint by late 2029. Occupancy is projected for 2031.