The city of Irvine, California, is experiencing a significant surge in health care investments, highlighted by the recent openings of new hospitals by City of Hope and UCI Health. These developments are set to enhance the local medical landscape and address the growing health care demands of its rapidly expanding population.
Mayor Larry Agran, who has been a part of Irvine’s governance since 1975, has witnessed the city’s health care evolution firsthand. Agran was on the council when the first hospital, Irvine Medical Center, opened in 1988. In 2010, it was acquired by Hoag, and in 2008, Kaiser Permanente opened a $370 million hospital complex nearby. The recent activity marks what Agran describes as a culmination of decades of planning and investment by major developers like the Irvine Company and FivePoint Communities.
With the addition of new hospitals, Irvine is poised to double its number of hospital beds significantly. This expansion will not only create thousands of jobs but also establish the city as a key center for biomedical and biotechnical advancements in the United States. Agran emphasized, “We have become that,” referring to the city’s emergence as a medical hub.
UCI Health will open a 144-bed hospital, fulfilling a longstanding commitment made during the establishment of the university’s medical school. According to UCI Health spokesperson John Murray, the new facility represents a “sort of homecoming” for the university, as it will be the nation’s first all-electric hospital. This innovative approach underscores the university’s commitment to sustainability and modern medical practices.
The connection between Irvine and UCI is deep-rooted, with the university’s presence since its inception in 1965 shaping the city’s development. Dave Coffaro, President and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber, noted that the growth of the city has been intertwined with the university’s evolution. The research and innovations emerging from UCI are pivotal in advancing medical technology and treatment options.
Irvine and the broader Orange County area host over 235 medical device companies, comprising a significant portion of California’s 1,552 firms in this sector. Major corporations, such as Johnson & Johnson and Edwards Lifesciences, have established campuses in Irvine, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem of medical innovation.
The health care sector in Orange County employs nearly 200,000 individuals across approximately 17,500 establishments. Over the past two decades, employment in this industry has doubled, reflecting the increasing demand for medical services. Jeffrey Ball, President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, highlighted that many of the region’s largest employers are health care-related, further cementing the area’s role as a leader in medical advancements.
Demographics play a critical role in this health care expansion. Orange County, home to approximately 3.2 million residents, has seen a significant increase in its population aged 65 and older. From 2010 to 2022, this demographic grew from 11.7% to 16.4% of the total population. As the demand for health care rises with an aging population, Irvine’s population growth—now exceeding 310,000—demands corresponding health care infrastructure.
Future projections indicate that Irvine will continue expanding, with plans to add over 50,000 new homes by 2045. This growth is further supported by ongoing developments around the Great Park and other residential projects. Robert Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hoag, noted that the hospital’s footprint needed to expand as early as 2013 to accommodate the community it serves.
Hoag’s upcoming Sun Family Campus expansion, set to open in 2026, will involve over $1 billion in investments, adding six new buildings and doubling the hospital’s bed capacity. This expansion will focus on specialized areas such as digestive health, cancer, and women’s health.
City of Hope’s establishment of a 72-acre medical campus in Irvine also addresses the community’s health care needs. Following an invitation from FivePoint founder Emile Haddad, City of Hope has invested $1.5 billion in the region. The center opened an outpatient treatment facility in 2022, followed by the launch of its first specialty cancer hospital on December 1, 2025.
Haddad’s vision to create a hub for health innovation aligns with the community’s needs, particularly as the region faces rising cancer incidence rates and an aging population. This investment aims to enhance specialized cancer care in Orange County, reducing the burden of travel for local residents seeking treatment.
Recognizing the importance of health care services, Irvine City Hall has worked to facilitate these investments. City Manager Sean Crumby noted that city officials have collaborated with health care providers to understand demographic needs, ensuring that infrastructure developments, including housing and transportation, keep pace with investment.
As Irvine continues to grow, challenges remain, particularly regarding transportation and affordable housing for the incoming workforce. Nonetheless, Agran remains optimistic about the city’s capacity to adapt to these changes, remarking on the remarkable transformation underway.
With the expansion of health care facilities and the influx of investments, Irvine is solidifying its position as a significant player in the health care sector, ready to meet the needs of its growing population.
