Pathology Lab Renovation in San Antonio, TX

The Bexar County Medical Hospital District is renovating 10,445 sq ft of existing space at 4502 Medical Dr in San Antonio’s Northwest Side to create a new pathology lab. This project, filed under the name University Hospital, is scheduled to finish in March 2027, with construction starting in January 2026. The work involves altering the current hospital facility to meet the specific operational needs of a pathology laboratory, a scope that distinguishes it from general interior updates or structural repairs.

Project Scope and Financials

With an estimated cost of $7,000,000, the renovation carries a cost of $670 per square foot. This figure is significantly above the median cost per square foot of $85 for renovation and alteration projects in Bexar County, reflecting the specialized nature of medical laboratory construction. The total budget places this project in the top quarter of comparable filings in the county, where the median estimated cost is $250,000. The scale of the investment underscores the technical complexity required to convert general hospital space into a functional pathology environment.

HDR, Inc. serves as the design firm of record for this initiative. The firm has registered six other projects with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), totaling over $57 million in value across Texas. These include large-scale infrastructure and commercial projects in Austin, Round Rock, Glen Rose, San Antonio, and Dallas. The presence of a major design firm indicates a high level of professional oversight for the architectural and engineering aspects of the pathology lab conversion.

The project is registered with TDLR, and plan review was completed in October 2025. The construction window spans 431 days, which is longer than the median scheduled build window of 103 days for similar projects in Bexar County. This extended timeline allows for the intricate coordination of medical gas systems, decontamination facilities, and specialized laboratory infrastructure that a pathology department requires. The use of public funds and public land further aligns the project with regional healthcare development goals in the area.

The site is located in a densely populated area within ZIP code 78229, which has an estimated population of 35,195 residents. The neighborhood is predominantly renter-occupied, with a median owner-occupied home value of $206,400. Nearby businesses include the Park Inn by Radisson San Antonio Medical Center, indicating a hub of medical and hospitality activity. The renovation fits within a broader pattern of healthcare-related construction in the Northwest Side, where other registered projects include Methodist Hospital and Westgate Medical Office Annex renovations.