It took about 175,000 hours of labour, 13,500 cubic metres of concrete and 880 tonnes of reinforcing steel.
But the University of Canberra Public Hospital reached a key construction milestone on Thursday, "topping out', or the completion of the concrete structure for the $212 million project.
Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris gathered with builders and figures from the university and Canberra health circles for the construction ceremony, which involved lifting a tree on to the highest point of the hospital.
Mrs Fitzharris said the build, nine months on from work starting, was progressing well, and next year the roofing, windows, facade and internal fit-out would be completed.
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"Although this is a key milestone for the UCPH project, I also want to acknowledge the man who sadly lost his life in August this year," she said.
"My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends."
A 62-year-old Sydney man had died on the site after a crane toppled over and hit him in August, a workplace accident that is still being investigated by authorities.
The work completed to date has also included extensive earthworks and piping laid, asphalt and paving and has involved about 240 workers on-site each day - a figure that will peak at about 350 next year.
Multiplex Regional Director, Daniel Murphy said the concrete structure alone was a mammoth task .
"While the final concrete pour of 74 individual pours occurred today, cabling and other fit-out works are already taking place in other areas of the building," Mr Murphy said.
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Deep Saini said some construction students at the university had already been helping on the project and the finished hospital would also allow students to experience working in a clinical environment.
The hospital is expected to open for patients in mid-2018, with specialist services for rehabilitation, older people and patients with mental health illnesses.