Vision.  Creativity.  Efficiency.  Expertise.  By Design clients expect these qualities.  Yet, in the case of the Caritas Medical Group, more was needed: the application of shoe leather to sidewalk.  This is what produced the new suite of offices in Watertown, MA.

An affiliate of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, the Caritas Medical Group, needed to expand its Watertown office space.  But none was available anywhere nearby – or so it seemed.

By Design’s commercial real estate personnel literally walked the streets looking for the right location.  And, they found it… the Registry of Motor Vehicles offices in Watertown Center.  It was just the right size… in just the right location… and had more than enough parking for the expected volume of patients.  The only hitch was the Registry was not planning to move!  Creative negotiating by By Design secured the location.

With that beginning, the real work started to transform the building.  It was well-worn, with an outdated appearance both inside and out.  By Design’s architectural experts were familiar with the challenge and created a flow to make it easy for the doctors, nurses, patients, and administrators to interact.  Plus, they had to transform the exterior to give the building a vibrant, yet warm and modern appearance.

The Caritas Medical Group’s office features a common waiting and administrative area, the starting and ending point of each patient’s visit.  Internal medicine practices, pediatric practices, specialty services, and laboratory services share the space.

On the outside, new windows were installed to enhance the natural lighting.  Brick planters were added to give the entrance a more pastoral feeling.  Seven awnings were put in place to brighten the façade.

What once a tired, pedestrian and antiseptic state institutional building now is welcoming and comfortable for patients and their families.

“Short of building our own facility from the ground up, this renovated facility has been the best possible alternative.  We were in a non-functional space and now we have cohesive medical offices.  There is better patient flow and a quieter, more professional environment.  Patient comfort and health care delivery has been greatly enhanced.” – Leigh Eckert, Caritas Medical Group