Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has purchased 100 acres of land to build an 80-bed hospital in Estero, Fla., according to the Naples Daily News.
The for-profit hospital operator made the $52.5 million purchase last month.
Debra McKell, a spokesperson for HCA West Florida, a division of HCA Healthcare, told the Naples Daily News the purchase is for the hospital and to "explore other uses as well down the road."
Last year, state regulators reportedly approved HCA Healthcare's plans to build the hospital. The state also reportedly approved Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health's plan to build an 82-bed hospital at its medical campus in Estero.
HCA Healthcare and Lee Health are challenging each other’s hospital plans, according to the Naples Daily News.
The 100 acres HCA purchased is within Estero's village center downtown and less than 5 miles north of Lee Health's medical campus, Lee Health-Coconut Point.
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