After more than 50 years on Medical Center Drive, Wilmington Surgical Associates is set to move to a new facility.

The private general surgery practice will occupy a 20,000-square-foot, two-story building to be erected at 2739 Iron Gate Drive off Independence Boulevard in Wilmington.

Wilmington Surgical Associates (WSA) bought the currently vacant site for 925,000 on Feb. 23 from Cameron Properties Land Co., according to tax records. The practice is working with Wilmington-headquartered Adams Southeastern Construction on the design and construction.

Carolyn Medley, the practice’s development director, said WSA needed room to grow. 

“It’s bittersweet leaving our spot here on Medical Center Drive because we’ve been here for so long [since 1972], but we’ve renovated this property until we can’t get another inch out of it,” she said. “It was time to find a new home where we can expand and put everything in it that we need.” 

The practice, which in addition to general surgery also offers bariatric surgery and vein care, among other services, has nine providers – five doctors and four mid-level providers.

The doctors are on staff at Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center but aren't part of the Novant system. WSA's new building is expected to include clinical, procedural and administrative spaces, along with plenty of parking, Medley said. The building also gives the practice room to add a couple more physicians WSA is looking to recruit, she said. 

Medley said she hopes crews can break ground on the new facility in a few weeks, with WSA moving into the building in 2024.