Construction is officially underway on three new $30 million rehabilitation hospitals in Florida, with projects breaking ground this week in Wellen Park, Daytona Beach, and Orange Park. The facilities are being built by Catamount|Freese Johnson JV, LLC., in partnership with Exalt Health, a fast-growing provider of post-acute rehabilitation care. Exalt Health has a proven track record of post-acute care delivery across Florida, Texas, and Arizona.
Each hospital will feature 40 beds, delivering specialized programs for neurological, orthopedic, and cardiac recovery, as well as comprehensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. From advanced rehabilitation technologies to thoughtfully designed spaces, every detail is aimed at supporting the patient’s journey from admission through recovery.
“Expanding into these growing Florida communities reflects our long-term vision to build a regional network of state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospitals,” said Jeff Crawford, Chief Development Officer and COO of Exalt Health. “We’re creating spaces where patients can heal with dignity, rebuild strength, and return to their lives with confidence.”
“We’re proud to support this exceptional team in delivering healthcare infrastructure that meets both the clinical and community needs,” said Erik de Vries, CEO of Astrea Development. “These projects are a testament to what can be achieved when forward-thinking partners come together with a shared purpose.”
Catamount|Freese Johnson JV, LLC brings together two trusted names in healthcare construction. With deep expertise in healthcare delivery and facility execution, the team is working in close collaboration with Exalt Health to deliver best-in-class facilities tailored to the specific needs of the communities they’ll serve.
“These projects are more than buildings—they’re a commitment to healing, growth, and economic vitality,” said Mitch Brown, Senior Vice President at Catamount Constructors. “Our partnership with Exalt Health is built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to patient outcomes. We’re proud to help bring their proven post-acute care model to these communities.”
“This joint venture represents the best of what collaboration in healthcare construction can achieve,” said Henry Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer at Freese Johnson. “Working alongside Catamount and Exalt Health, we’re combining deep industry expertise with aligned values to deliver facilities that will make a lasting impact.”
Once fully operational, Exalt’s Florida facilities are expected to provide over 500 new jobs within the next three years, contributing significantly to local economies and the broader healthcare infrastructure in each region.
Construction on all three hospitals will begin in the coming weeks, with Orange Park slated to open in early 2026, followed by Wellen Park and Daytona in mid-2026.
About Exalt Health
Exalt Health is headquartered in Garland, Texas. Backed by Nautic Partners and the founding management team, Exalt Health was formed to build a best-in-class inpatient rehabilitation platform that consistently delivers industry leading patient outcomes via a proven operational playbook based on efficiency and flexibility. Exalt Health facilities are designed to treat patients with complex physical and cognitive problems. Our facility operates a full range of inpatient programs delivered by a multidisciplinary team of highly trained professionals. Our facilities are accredited by CIHQ. For more information, visit www.exalthealth.com.
About ASTREA
Astrea Development LLC is a privately held real estate development and investment company based in Dallas, Texas focused on healthcare real estate development. Astrea delivers unique Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (“IRF”) through over twenty years of development experience and serving formerly as an IRF operator. For more information, visit ASTREAdevelopment.com.
About Catamount Constructors, Inc.
Catamount is a 100% employee-owned company with 28 years of experience providing construction management and general contracting services nationwide. Ranked in Engineering News Record’s ‘Top 400 National Contractors’ for eighteen consecutive years, Catamount provides contracting services to owners and developers including general contracting, construction management, sustainable construction, design-build, cost estimating, conceptual budgeting, scheduling, and value engineering. Markets include Industrial, Build-to-Rent, Multifamily, Senior Living, Healthcare, Office/Office Interiors, Retail, Automotive, Energy, and Government. Serving clients throughout the U.S., Catamount maintains offices in Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; San Antonio, TX; Savannah, GA; and Tampa, FL. For more information about Catamount, visit catamountinc.com.
About Freese Johnson, LLC
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Freese Johnson, LLC is a respected full-service general contractor known for its expertise in preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, and design-build services. With a strong track record in healthcare, commercial including interiors and office, and multifamily, senior living, and student housing, Freese Johnson delivers high-quality, client-focused construction solutions. The firm’s experienced team is dedicated to understanding clients’ unique goals, providing innovative strategies, and ensuring seamless project execution from concept to completion. For more information about Freese Johnson, visit www.freesejohnson.com.