A former Sears store in Rochester, N.Y., will be transformed into one of the largest orthopaedics outpatient facilities in the Northeast.
The new University of Rochester Orthopaedics & Physical Performance Center will arise in retail space at the Marketplace Mall in Henrietta, N.Y. The development reflects two trends: the surge in e-commerce resulting in more vacant retail spaces, and a growing demand for more robust healthcare infrastructure across the country. The project team includes Architect of record SLAM (The S/L/A/M Collaborative) and design architect Perkins & Will.
"As healthcare facilities across the U.S. look to decentralize their services, the adaptive reuse of underutilized retail space represents a huge opportunity for institutions, like the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), to expand their outpatient reach by moving to the mall." said Scott Hansche, AIA, principal-in-charge at SLAM, in a news release.
The $227 million, 350,000 sf facility will include a 210,000 sf renovated space and a 140,000 sf new outpatient clinical services building that will house 140 exam rooms for orthopaedic care.
The design brings daylight into the existing Sears footprint through a series of skylights and an internal courtyard that also functions as rehabilitation space. The building’s sinuous facade design represents the idea of movement, echoing the orthopaedic care provided within its walls.
The new facility will address a growing need to expand infrastructure into underserved regions, helping to address healthcare equity gaps. One of the goals was to create a feeling of familiarity and accessibility for patients.
“Repurposing a traditional community anchor, such as a mall, helps upend perceptions of healthcare facilities as centralized urban complexes,” said Robert Goodwin, FAIA, design director of Perkins & Will's New York studio. “We are integrating healthcare into the existing fabric of the community rather than asking patients to travel to a facility that might be hard to reach.” Accessibility was amplified through a series of decentralized entry points and the addition of a dedicated bus stop outside of the outpatient facility.
Repurposing an existing site meant that there was reduced need for permitting and no new roads were required. The renovated 200,000 sf section includes a surgical platform with three operating rooms, a three-room procedure suite, advanced imaging, clinical research, education, administration, physical therapy, and a human performance and injury prevention center.
The first phase, relocating the orthopaedic administrative offices to an adjacent renovated lease space, was completed and occupied in fall 2021. The second phase, the conversion of the former Sears store to an outpatient surgical center, will be complete by fall 2022. A third phase, construction of a rehab and sports performance center is expected to open next spring, and a four-story, 144-bed clinic space is scheduled for completion in fall 2023.
Owner and/or developer: Wilmorite
Design architect: Perkins & Will's New York studio
Architect of record: SLAM (The S/L/A/M Collaborative)
Local Associate Architect: Dwyer Architectural
MEP/IT Engineer : ME Engineering
Structural Engineer: Jensen BRV
General contractor/construction manager: Le Chase
Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect: Bergmann Associates
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Jun 28, 2023
When office-to-residential conversion works
The cost and design challenges involved with office-to-residential conversions can be daunting; designers need to devise creative uses to fully utilize the space.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 28, 2023
Sutton Tower, an 80-story multifamily development, completes construction in Manhattan’s Midtown East
In Manhattan’s Midtown East, the construction of Sutton Tower, an 80-story residential building, has been completed. Located in the Sutton Place neighborhood, the tower offers 120 for-sale residences, with the first move-ins scheduled for this summer. The project was designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen and developed by Gamma Real Estate and JVP Management. Lendlease, the general contractor, started construction in 2018.
Apartments | Jun 27, 2023
Dallas high-rise multifamily tower is first in state to receive WELL Gold certification
HALL Arts Residences, 28-story luxury residential high-rise in the Dallas Arts District, recently became the first high-rise multifamily tower in Texas to receive WELL Gold Certification, a designation issued by the International WELL Building Institute. The HKS-designed condominium tower was designed with numerous wellness details.
K-12 Schools | May 25, 2023
From net zero to net positive in K-12 schools
Perkins Eastman’s pursuit of healthy, net positive schools goes beyond environmental health; it targets all who work, teach, and learn inside them.
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
Office Buildings | May 4, 2023
In Southern California, a former industrial zone continues to revitalize with an award-winning office property
In Culver City, Calif., Del Amo Construction, a construction company based in Southern California, has completed the adaptive reuse of 3516 Schaefer St, a new office property. 3516 Schaefer is located in Culver City’s redeveloped Hayden Tract neighborhood, a former industrial zone that has become a technology and corporate hub.
Mass Timber | May 3, 2023
Gensler-designed mid-rise will be Houston’s first mass timber commercial office building
A Houston project plans to achieve two firsts: the city’s first mass timber commercial office project, and the state of Texas’s first commercial office building targeting net zero energy operational carbon upon completion next year. Framework @ Block 10 is owned and managed by Hicks Ventures, a Houston-based development company.
| Apr 28, 2023
$1 billion mixed-use multifamily development will add 1,200 units to South Florida market
A giant $1 billion residential project, The District in Davie, will bring 1.6 million sf of new Class A residential apartments to the hot South Florida market. Located near Ft. Lauderdale and greater Miami, the development will include 36,000 sf of restaurants and retail space. The development will also provide 1.1 million sf of access controlled onsite parking with 2,650 parking spaces.
Mixed-Use | Apr 27, 2023
New Jersey turns a brownfield site into Steel Tech, a 3.3-acre mixed-use development
In Jersey City, N.J., a 3.3-acre redevelopment project called Steel Tech will turn a brownfield site into a mixed-use residential high-rise building, a community center, two public plazas, and a business incubator facility. Steel Tech received site plan approval in recent weeks.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 19, 2023
Austin’s historic Rainey Street welcomes a new neighbor: a 48-story mixed-used residential tower
Austin’s historic Rainey Street is welcoming a new neighbor. The Paseo, a 48-story mixed-used residential tower, will bring 557 apartments and two levels of retail to the popular Austin entertainment district, known for houses that have been converted into bungalow bars and restaurants.