20 Stories for 20 Years: Our First Tilt-Up Project – Novant Health Emergency Department, Scotts Hill
As we continue to celebrate 20 years of Thomas Construction Group, we’re proud to reflect on the moments that helped shape who we are today. One of those defining milestones came in 2015 with the completion of the Novant Health Emergency Department at Scotts Hill—our first-ever tilt-up construction project.
At approximately 30,000 square feet, this free-standing emergency department was designed and constructed in association with Brasfield and Gorrie to bring critical healthcare access closer to the fast-growing communities of northern New Hanover and Pender counties. The facility includes 12 exam rooms, imaging services, a laboratory, pharmacy, ambulance access, mobile MRI accommodations, and a helicopter landing area to support rapid response for critical patients. Completed on time and under budget, the project underscored our team’s commitment to efficiency, client value, and healthcare excellence.
Marking our entrance into tilt-up concrete construction, this project set a new precedent for innovation and efficiency in our portfolio. Tilt-up construction—where large concrete panels are cast on-site and lifted into place—offered Novant Health a faster schedule, enhanced durability, and cost savings. For our team, it introduced a new approach to sequencing, coordination, and precision, from preparing casting beds to executing heavy-lift operations.
“Tilt-up construction requires a lot of upfront planning, starting with site prep for the crane and careful placement of underground utilities to handle the weight of the crane and all the panels. My role was to coordinate with all our trade partners to ensure everything was accurately placed in the panels, inspect the rebar, and manage the inspection schedule. The beauty of this delivery method is watching each panel lift into place, seeing all the planning and hard work from every group, come together.”
— Donald Turner, Senior Superintendent
This successful delivery not only strengthened our partnership with Citadel Contractors but also opened the door to future tilt-up applications across multiple sectors. It reinforced our ability to deliver complex, time-sensitive healthcare facilities with confidence and creativity.
Looking back, the Novant Health Emergency Department at Scotts Hill was a turning point– it demonstrated our team’s willingness to embrace new methods, overcome challenges, and deliver high quality facilities that serve our community.
Today, it stands as a symbol of our commitment to growth, innovation, and building what matters. As we celebrate two decades of Thomas Construction Group, we’re honored to reflect on the projects that paved the way—and excited for what’s yet to come.
