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2013 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design People's Choice Award winner: Melrose Animal Clinic
Twenty-eight practices entered the 2013 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition-you picked your favorite.
The people have spoken! Meet the 2013 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design People's Choice Award Winner: Melrose Animal Clinic in Melrose, Mass.
Using warm colors, comfortable client seating, and top-shelf finishes, the practice’s owner Dr. Stewart Silverman wanted to design a welcoming atmosphere that big-box competitors and online pharmacies couldn't compete with.
“Our goal was to create a new facility that fostered development of a real and lasting bond with our clients emphasizing quality, compassion and the enhancement of the client experience,” he says.
The exam rooms are set up so the doctors never have to turn their back to the client—even when they’re using the computer. The Melrose team was also determined to keep overhead costs at a manageable level and avoid taking on a large debt load. Retail space was virtually eliminated in favor of utilizing the space for clinical or client interaction purposes, Dr. Stewart says.
Located seven miles from Boston, in the heart of downtown Melrose, Dr. Stewart decided it would be best to keep the clinic's ideal location and go with a practice remodel. His small—but efficient—1,817 square-foot practice grew from a two-exam room facility into a full-service, four-exam room hospital.
"It's like the cabin on a boat," says the clinic's veterinary architect of Animal Arts Design in Bolder, Colo. "No space is wasted, and all the parts and pieces are arranged in a way that maximizes useable space and ensures a comfortable flow."
Curious why People’s Choice voters fell in love with Melrose Animal Clinic? Check out the kudos that rolled in with the votes below:
“In today’s world of out of control cost escalation, there’s a lot to love about a $500k clinic.”
“Bright design complements function—this is a cleanly laid out veterinary hospital.”
“The waiting room is soothing to both animals and their guardians. Most exam rooms have natural light. It’s an excellent design.”
“Melrose’s new design and layout is both very functional and aesthetically appealing.”
Want to review the specs and photos of all this year’s 28 entries? Press here for the full list.
Melrose Animal Clinic, Melrose, Mass.
Owner:Dr. Stewart Silverman
Associates: 3 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $189.24
Total cost: $533,718.69
Building cost: $425,025.97 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 2,540
Structure type: Leasehold alteration
4 Paws Animal Hospital, Wynantskill, N.Y.
Owner: Dr. Lisa Wiggins
Associates: 1
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $191
Total cost: $1,808,335
Building cost: $1,132,936 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 5,941
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Akron Animal Hospital, Akron, N.Y.
Owner: Dr. Sandra Corrie
Associates: 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $185.69
Total cost: $1,551,221
Building cost: $798,488 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 4,300
Structure type: New freestanding building
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All Pets Animal Hospital, Katy, Texas
Owner:Dr. Patrick Choyce
Associates: 3 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 8
Cost/sq. ft.: $175
Total cost: $2,525,000
Building cost: $1,450,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 11,300
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Allandale Veterinary Hospital, Ontario, Canada
Owner:Dr. Patricia Lechten
Associates: 4
Exam rooms: 6
Cost/sq. ft.: $284.54
Total cost: $4,011,110
Building cost: $2,481,205 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 8,720
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Animal Care Hospital, Lafayette, La.
Owner:Dr. Michael Guidry
Associates: 0
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $146
Total cost: $796,000
Building cost: $440,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 3,000
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Animal Emergency and Referral Center, Flowood, Miss.
Owners:Drs. James Anderson, Troy Major, Tip Hailey, Scott Segrest, Adrian Whittington, Michael Ferriss, Mitch Clemmer, Steve Green, Chelcie Hutchinson
Associates: 4 full-time, 10 part-time
Exam rooms: 3
Cost/sq. ft.: $223
Total cost: $1,845,300
Building cost: $1,160,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 5,200
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Animal Neurology, Rehab & ER Center, Commerce, Mich.
Owner: Dr. Michael Wolf
Associates: 2 full-time, 3 part-time
Exam rooms: 7
Cost/sq. ft.: $257
Total cost: $3,920,000
Building cost: $3,920,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 9,233
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Banning Veterinary Hospital, Banning, Calif.
Owner:Dr. Ryan Westbrook
Associates: 4
Exam rooms: 11
Cost/sq. ft.: $100.40
Total cost: $1,962,335
Building cost: $1,453,808 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 14,479
Structure type: Leasehold conversion
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Bartels Busack Pet Hospital Resort & Spa, Parma, Ohio
Owner:Dr. Ronald Busack
Associates: 2
Exam rooms: 9
Cost/sq. ft.: $127.06
Total cost: $2,757,317
Building cost: $1,690,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 13,300
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Capital Veterinary Clinic, Austin, Texas
Owner: Dr. Matthew Scroggs
Associates: 2 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 5
Cost/sq. ft.: $181.61
Total cost: $1,980,644
Building cost: $908,052 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 4,950
Structure type: New freestanding building
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The Complete Pet Animal Hospital, Litchfield Park, Ariz.
Owner: Dr. Nancy Buczek
Associates: 1
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: N/A
Total cost: $182,821.55
Building cost: $5,150 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 2,200
Structure type: Leasehold alteration
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Country View Pet Hospital, Wilmington, Ohio
Owner: Dr. Jill Thompson
Associates: 1 full-time, 2 part-time
Exam rooms: 7
Cost/sq. ft.: $113
Total cost: $1,750,000
Building cost: $1,090,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 9,650
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Elemental Veterinary Center and Pet Spa, Columbus, Ohio
Owner: Dr. Jane Flores
Associates: 0
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $52.35
Total cost: $398,469
Building cost: $218,344 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 3,807
Structure type: Leasehold conversion
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Goodwin Animal Hospital & Pet Resort, Pike Road, Ala.
Owner:Dr. Donald Goodwin
Associates: 1 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 5
Cost/sq. ft.: $122
Total cost: $2,336,766.73
Building cost: $1,246,901 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 11,980
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Lafayette Veterinary Care Center, Lafayette, La.
Owner: Drs. Andy Plauche, Kristin Plauche
Associates: 2
Exam rooms: 6
Cost/sq. ft.: $155.63
Total cost: $2,517,999
Building cost: $1,839,520 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 11,800
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Melrose Animal Clinic, Melrose, Mass.
Owner:Dr. Stewart Silverman
Associates: 3 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $189.24
Total cost: $533,718.69
Building cost: $425,025.97 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 2,540
Structure type: Leasehold alteration
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Midtown Animal Clinic, Davis, Calif.
Owner:Dr. Cliff Gravem
Associates: 1 full-time, 3 part-time
Exam rooms: 5
Cost/sq. ft.: $209.46
Total cost: $1,655,647
Building cost: $1,038,899 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 5,301
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Northern Plains Animal Health, Aberdeen, S.D.
Owners:Drs. Gregory Adolf, Darcee Munsterteiger
Associates: 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 3
Cost/sq. ft.: $179.36
Total cost: $1,919,485
Building cost: $1,368,540 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 7,630
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Palisades Veterinary Clinic, Washington, D.C.
Owners: Drs. Jann Elliott, Bruce Herwald
Associates: 1 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 3
Cost/sq. ft.: $418
Total cost: $2,377,500
Building cost: $1,200,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 2,870
Structure type: Freestanding alteration/conversion
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Palm City Animal Medical Center, Palm City, Fla.
Owner:Dr. Rex Sentell
Associates: 3 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 11
Cost/sq. ft.: $141.44
Total cost: $3,603,212
Building cost: $2,029,292 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 14,347
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Parker Veterinary Hospital, Oxford, Mich.
Owners:Drs. Adrian Holly, John Wilson
Associates: 0
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $152
Total cost: $1,183,500
Building cost: $700,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 4,600
Structure type: Freestanding conversion
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Point Vicente Animal Hospital, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Owner:Dr. Cassie Jones
Associates: 1 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $235
Total cost: $3,175,000
Building cost: $1,353,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 5,760
Structure type: New freestanding building
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River Ridge Animal Hospital, Dixon, Ill.
Owners:Drs. Philip Fassler, Nate McClain, Chris Gunnon, Erin Graves
Associates: 1 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 10
Cost/sq. ft.: $128
Total cost: $2,800,000
Building cost: $2,150,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 16,800
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Upstate Veterinary Specialists, Asheville, N.C.
Owner:Drs. Dermot Jevens, Keith Allen
Associates: 11
Exam rooms: 4
Cost/sq. ft.: $119
Total cost: $754,672
Building cost: $425,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 3,583
Structure type: Leasehold conversion
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Veterinary Medical Center, Easton, Md.
Owners:Drs. Elizabeth Callahan, Dean Tyson
Associates: 3 full-time, 2 part-time
Exam rooms: 8
Cost/sq. ft.: $224.12
Total cost: $2,933,944.35
Building cost: $1,841,631.77 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 8,217
Structure type: New freestanding building
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Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Owners:Drs. Maria Vianna, Jorg Bucheler
Associates: 3
Exam rooms: 3
Cost/sq. ft.: $133.73
Total cost: $925,000
Building cost: $385,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 2,879
Structure type: New leasehold
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Yalesville Veterinary Hospital, Yalesville, Conn.
Owner:Dr. Frank Kostolitz
Associates: 3 full-time, 1 part-time
Exam rooms: 7
Cost/sq. ft.: $107
Total cost: $1,525,000
Building cost: $902,000 (building only; excludes land purchase, landscaping, parking lot, etc.)
Square footage: 13,914
Structure type: Freestanding addition/alteration
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