St. Louis' thriving healthcare real estate market was the focus of a robust panel discussion at MetroWire Media’s STL Healthcare Summit on June 19. Brought together by sponsors that included Spirtas, Intelica, Kadean, The Lawrence Group, and Carmody MacDonald, the event brought together top voices in development, architecture, construction, and healthcare operations for a conversation centered on innovation, challenges, and what’s next for the region.

Moderated by industry veteran Glenn B. Guenther of Guenther Realty Advisory Services, the panel featured:

Dillon Corr, Director of Client Development at Kadean Construction
Brad Davis, Business Development Manager at Musick Construction
Ryan King, VP of Development at The Lawrence Group
Allison Mendez, Principal at CannonDesign

From hospital expansions to new outpatient models, panelists agreed: St. Louis is in the midst of a healthcare development boom.

Key Themes and Takeaways:

Outpatient is Outpacing: Brad Davis emphasized the surge in outpatient care as providers seek smaller, more accessible footprints across suburban markets. These satellite sites are transforming how and where care is delivered.
Flexibility is the Future: Allison Mendez highlighted the demand for agile design, citing CannonDesign’s work on behavioral health and academic medical centers. "We’re designing for uncertainty,” she noted, as post-pandemic shifts continue to reshape both staff and patient needs.
Speed and Cost Pressures: Dillon Corr shared how design-assist and early collaboration are helping clients meet aggressive timelines without sacrificing quality. Inflation and labor shortages still pose hurdles, but creative scheduling and prefab solutions are helping bridge the gap.
Urban Investment Continues: Ryan King spoke to the value of reinvesting in central corridors, pointing to The Lawrence Group’s work on historically significant sites. Community engagement remains a key driver in these developments.
Collaboration is Key: Across the board, panelists emphasized the power of early partnerships. When health systems, architects, and contractors align early, outcomes improve—both financially and operationally.

The event kicked off with a packed networking hour, where leaders across real estate, construction, and healthcare converged to make new connections and spark fresh ideas.

With healthcare remaining one of the most resilient asset classes in CRE, the panel underscored both the challenges and promise ahead for St. Louis. Regulatory changes, shifting demographics, and evolving care models may require constant adaptation—but the region’s ecosystem is more than ready to deliver.

As Guenther aptly put it in his closing: “This is a city that knows how to build. When we come together, we solve big problems.”