Wellness Development Projects

Over the course of my career, I have managed the design, development, refurbishment, construction, and operations of over two dozen wellness campuses, clinics and communities. These projects have varied from a stand-alone Concierge Medical Practice to a 22-acre Wellness Campus; from a regional group of Physical Therapy clinics to an urban mixed-use development centered around a four-story wellness center; from a physician cooperative to a suburban recreational campus.

In most instances I was also responsible for the initial recruiting, branding, marketing, opening and operations of these facilities, which constantly informed me about the relationship between design and operations.

Some examples of projects are outlined below:

ALLIANCE WELLNESS GROUP – AUSTRALIA

From 2018 onwards, Grant worked on the development of a series of wellness models that have set new standards in the fitness and wellness sector. Partnering with the Brisbane Lions AFL Team on their new performance campus and with CavCorp on a state-of-the-art urban mixed-use wellness community, Grant helped Alliance Wellness open three award-winning campuses on the East Coast of Australia.

RESIDENTIAL PRECINCT AND BEST-IN-CLASS WELLNESS CENTER

This multistage urban residential precinct is set amongst 2 acres of landscaped gardens, water features, and extraordinary wellness and retail offerings. The district includes four residential towers surrounding a central piazza and best-in-class wellness center.

Among the towers sits “Aveo,” a 15-story retirement living and aged care complex. “Le Bain” is adjacent to the precinct and includes 128 residential units over 15 floors. “Lucent” also extends over 15 stories of residential units and features Australia’s longest rooftop pool. “Luminaire” is currently under construction with another 25 stories of residential apartments and urban retreat accommodations. “Luminaire” is being constructed in tandem with the final phase of an almost 10,000m2 wellness center.

The wellness center features elements ranging from a rooftop organic garden and magnesium pool; world class recovery zone; full service medical spa; preventative healthcare center with modalities ranging from hyperbaric oxygen multi-place chamber to an IV lounge. The multi-level fitness and wellness areas include numerous mind body studios, stretching zones, functional training areas and much more.

An organic restaurant and casual co-working space complement the sunken lounge areas and bespoke meeting spaces. The center also encompasses a beautiful creche and doggie daycare area, to allow members and residents to take full advantage of the many offerings of the precinct.

This project is truly the epitome of an urban wellness oasis for residents and members and will be complete by the end of 2022.

Long Island Retail Piazza

Long Island Piazza

Total Fusion Fitness Floor

Total Fusion Lounge Area

Total Fusion Altitude Room and Bathroom Entry

Total Fusion Archway Entry

Beyond Functional Medicine IV Lounge

Total Fusion Rooftop

ACAC FITNESS & WELLNESS – USA

In 1997, Grant began developing a new type of fitness center, integrating with healthcare providers and focusing on the health and wellness needs of groups typically overlooked by traditional clubs. Grant was one of the first people in the world to successfully achieve an “Exercise as Medicine” ethos into the fitness industry. He helped develop and operationalize the first “Physician Recommended Exercise Program” in the world.

Grant has been intrinsically involved in creating 12 fitness/wellness and mixed-use campuses for ACAC on the Atlantic Coast of the U.S., serving hundreds of thousands of members and partnering with hospital systems including Johns Hopkins and Sentara. 

RE-PURPOSED BIG BOX

Virginia: 61,000s.f. (5,667sq.m.) retail site that was repurposed to incorporate fitness, wellness, mind body studios, aquatics center with three pools, kids’ zone, spa, conference space, basketball court, running track, logo shop, laundry, cardio pulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy and physician offices.

Maryland: 65,000s.f. (6,038sq.m.) commercial site that was repurposed to incorporate fitness, wellness, mind body studios, an aquatics center that has a total of five pools including a lap and therapy pool, kids’ zone, conference space, running track, logo shop, laundry, cardio pulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy and physician offices.

DOWNTOWN MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

Encompassing ¾ of a city block this development includes three commercial, retail and residential multi story buildings totaling almost 300,000s.f. (27,870sq.m.), a large double deck parking garage, multiple levels of basement parking and a repurposed 50,000s.f. (4,645sq.m.) commercial building that incorporates fitness, wellness, mind body studios, squash and racquetball courts, an aquatics center featuring a lap and therapy pool, a rooftop pool, kids zone, café, spa, running track, logo shop, laundry, cardio pulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy and physician offices.

SUBURBAN GREENFIELD WELLNESS CAMPUS

Encompassing 22 acres in the heart of West Chester, PA this 130,000s.f. (12,077sq.m.) purpose-built wellness center incorporates a dedicated kids sports and activity wing, sporting fields, ropes courses and field houses on the property. Under roof are fitness and wellness amenities including cardio and weights areas, mind body studios, an indoor and outdoor aquatics center, outdoor waterpark, kids’ zone, two cafés, day spa, running track, logo shop, laundry, and physical therapy facilities.

SUBURBAN RE-DEVELOPMENT

Exceeding 100,000s.f. (9,290sq.m.) under roof this 15-acre campus was transformed from a dilapidated YMCA to a state-of-the-art wellness center in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia. Featuring indoor tennis courts, cardio, weights, fitness, wellness, mind body studios, racquetball courts, an aquatics center featuring an indoor and outdoor waterpark and group exercise/lap pool. The indoor pool also includes a dedicated therapy pool. The main facility included kids’ zone, café, running track, logo shop, laundry, physical therapy and physician offices.

URBAN GREENFIELD DEVELOPMENT

This five-story dedicated wellness facility is the center point of a large commercial, retail and residential development. The 55,000s.f. (5,109sq.m.) building features a rooftop pool, yoga deck and café. Group exercise and mind body studios are balanced with singles and doubles squash courts. An indoor aquatics center features a lap and therapy pool and spa. The reception, logo shop, laundry, and café are on the ground floor, with the kids’ zone spanning ground and first floors. There is a state-of-the-art functional training area, running track, cardio area and weights facility spanning two floors.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINICS

I have designed and constructed half a dozen physical therapy (physiotherapy) facilities ranging in size from 1,800s.f.(167sq.m.) to 3,500s.f. (325sq.m.) facilities that have typically been attached to a therapy pool and rehabilitation area within the primary wellness center facility. These businesses have typically been company owned and operated to ensure a smooth transition from rehab to ongoing strengthening and maintenance needed for long term rehabilitation.

P.R.E.P® AREAS

I spearheaded the development of a Physician Referred Exercise Program on the East Coast of the U.S. This program has over 1,500 participating physicians who refer their patients to exercise instead of a pharmaceutical prescription.  The success of this 60-day program is unequaled in its use of exercise as medicine. The program is centered around a purpose-built exercise area with social elements blended into the space. Registered nurses, exercise physiologists and physical therapists are involved in the program and ensure a safe and effective transition to regular exercise for the participants.

CONCIERGE MEDICAL PRACTICE

In 2007, when concierge medicine was in its infancy I helped develop a prototype concierge practice called Wellness MD, which incorporated an extensive physical and nutritional evaluation followed by physician based recommendations and support to assist patients transition their lifestyle toward healthier habits.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY CLINIC & FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINIC

I was part of a team developing a purpose-built hyperbaric oxygen therapy center that includes a functional medicine clinic and a float center. This facility began with two dedicated chambers and later expanded to four chambers in total. Serving a diverse range of needs from traumatic brain injuries to aging issues this facility is a great example of modern medicine meeting alternative modalities.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CLINIC

Initially consisting of two retail units totaling 2,400s.f. (223sq.m), an additional 1,800s.f. were added to complete a total of 4,200s.f. (390sq.m). A dozen suites and treatment rooms offer services such as Integrative Medicine, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Egoscue, and Energy Medicine. The facility also includes a variety of modalities ranging from Floatation Therapy to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This clinic serves both local patients, and interstate and overseas clients.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CLINIC

Grant and his team are working with OrthoRegen to expand their business model beyond regenerative medicine. This project is an exploration  into an integrated regenerative and longevity model that encompasses social wellness.

COMMON HOUSE – USA: SOCIAL CLUB WELLNESS INTEGRATION

Grant consulted with the Common House Social Clubs to integrate wellness into their models by creating spaces and programs that promote holistic well-being for their members. As a leader in the Social Club space in the U.S., Common House embraces a comprehensive and integrative wellness offering as complementary to their social club experience.

KIDS’ CAMPUSES

Established on 7 acres this 30,000s.f. (12,077sq.m.) facility incorporates a dedicated kids sports and activity gymnasium, artificial turf field, tennis courts, field house, and day school on the property. It also features Central Virginia’s only 50m outdoor lap pool and a large waterpark. This facility is designed to run year-round with the aquatics being a seasonal program.

AQUATIC CENTERS

Many of the wellness campuses I have designed and constructed have included state of the art aquatics facilities. Features of these facilities typically have included saltwater pools, therapy pools for rehabilitation work, lap pools and group exercise pools. In recent years, a number of the projects have included rooftop pools and spas for recreational purposes.

PERFORMANCE CENTERS

The development of functional training has led to the construction of purpose-built facilities for performance enhancement. Participants range from professional athletes to weekend warriors. Kids programs have been central to these facilities helping kids reduce the incidence of injuries through specific programming for youth.

DAY SPAS

Many of the facilities I have developed or owned have included spas and one featured a Japanese Bath House. These facilities provide relaxation and rejuvenation elements that are central to wellness today. Incorporating modalities ranging from plunge pools to far infrared saunas. Spa services have ranged from massage to manicures and are often very complementary to the exercise elements members enjoy on the other side of the club.

JAPANESE BATH HOUSE