Wayzata Specialty Center: A Vision Realized
In the heart of one of the metro’s most exclusive real estate markets, a story of perseverance and innovation unfolded. For nearly a decade, Davis had been searching for the perfect site to develop a Class A medical outpatient building in the bustling suburb of Wayzata. This market, chronically underserved for 25 years, desperately needed a new healthcare hub but land opportunities were minimal and highly priced. Consequently, when a unique specialty opportunity presented itself on the highly visible main street of Wayzata Boulevard, Davis jumped at the opportunity to make this vision a reality.
Having envisioned the full circle deployment of a state-of-the-art medical outpatient facility in this location for years, Davis desired to do more than just create a beautiful building; We sought to drastically improve healthcare delivery for the entire community. For decades the Wayzata market was predominately consolidated under the umbrella of a large health system utilizing restrictive leasing practices to maintain its regional monopoly. In order to provide an environment in which specialty physician groups could thrive, Davis promised to deliver an inviting and sustainably built structure with ample exterior signage and fully customizable tenant spaces that provided optimized patient care. With Davis’ extensive clinic relationships and marketing strategies, we were able to secure a clinic tenant partner and another specialty clinic to start the formal development planning of the projected 16,000 SF building in the fall of 2021.
Developing the Wayzata site wasn’t without its challenges. Having previously housed a gas station, the site required over $800,000 worth of environmental clean-up work before construction could begin. Scrupulous restructuring of the land parcel was also required for the project to offer a suitable amount of patient and provider parking spaces due to a steep 50-foot drop into a creek watershed present at the back of the site. Undeterred by the challenge, the Timco Construction team moved mountains – literally – importing over 80 tons of soil to stabilize the parking grade and bring the project up to code.
Today, Wayzata Specialty Center provides a contemporary medical space that seamlessly fits in to the high-end vibe of its surroundings while also standing out in the pristine elegance that accompanies new construction. Patients and visitors are greeted initially by the building’s visually striking brick and wood exterior and elongated two-story glass windows. Once inside, a unique live moss display and cascading natural light gently guides them towards their intended destination. This welcoming atmosphere has encouraged a complimentary array of premiere specialty providers to expand into this community, and the building is currently 100% leased to Lorenz Clinic, Tailwind Pediatric Dentistry, LAK Med Spa and Minneapolis Integrative Medicine.
The project’s success led it to win numerous awards in 2023, including the prestigious Medical Project of the Year Award by NAIOP. But for the Davis team, the real reward was in seeing their long-held vision become a reality. Wayzata Specialty Center stands as a testament to what can be achieved with vision, perseverance, and a deep understanding of community needs. It’s not just a building; it’s a new chapter in Wayzata’s healthcare story.
