SIOUX CITY -- When she couldn't find any adequate professional building space to lease in Sioux City, Dr. Beth Bruening, an ophthalmologist, decided to construct a new building that will not only house Bruening Eye Specialists' Morningside location, but also will offer space to medical or office-type tenants.
The two-story, 27,000-square-foot building, dubbed "Sunnybrook Center" has an industrial feel with a touch of glamour. Light pours through large windows stretching from floor to ceiling, while steel, wood, quartz and crystal accent the sprawling space finished in hues of gray.
"I'm getting another associate and we didn't have enough room in our current location," said Bruening, who operates out of the main office at 101 Tower Road Suite 300, in Dakota Dunes, with satellite clinics in Orange City, Ida Grove and Onawa, Iowa. "I think this particular area has definitely identified itself as sort of the medical area on this side of town."
People are also reading…
Contractors with H&R Construction, of South Sioux City, are putting the finishing touches on the Sunnybrook center, which is directly west of the BioLife Plasma Services building. The $6 million investment will add 10 to 12 new jobs.
Bruening will begin seeing patients March 5 in her new clinic on the center's second floor, along with Dr. Thomas Pratt, an optometrist. Bruening Eye Specialists will occupy 1,000 square feet, leaving 26,000 square feet for rent.
In July, Bruening said Dr. Austin Strohbehn, an ophthalmologist, will join the comprehensive ophthalmology practice, which provides complete medical and surgical eye care to all age groups. Services include cataract surgery, Lasik surgery, glaucoma care and surgery and other procedures, including Botox treatment.
Bruening said she chose Marasco & Associates, Inc., to design the building after identifying the Denver-based architecture and consulting firm at an American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.Â
"This particular architect firm has done a lot of ophthalmology offices across the country, as well as other medical offices," she said. "I wanted it to be a very timeless, quality building, so we have brick and stone. I wanted a lot of glass, some high ceilings and nice lighting."
To the left of a common area on the second floor is Bruening's spacious clinic. Pendant lights hang above a quartz counter affixed to dark wood, which serves as the check-in desk. Around the corner is the check-out desk.
"I wanted something that was timeless and very elegant, and also something that patients would feel very comfortable in," Bruening said, before moving into the waiting area. "We have a few couches, as well as some bigger, more comfortable lounge chairs in addition to the regular seating that we have."
The geometric-patterned carpet, which runs throughout the space features hints of gray, brown and tan. Wallpaper adds texture and shine to the hallways, exam rooms, procedure rooms, physician offices, break room and nurses station. Other highlights of the space include multiple testing areas and an optical.
"We'll have glasses and contact lenses," Bruening said. "We're going to try to expand on our frame selection that we have with some more high-end frames."
Bruening Eye Specialists will host an open house at the new location at 11:30 a.m. on March 2. Bruening said patients can make appointments by calling 1-800-572-1026.
