THE WHY: The Owner’s Story
Cityplace Dental Group was purchased by a trio of principal dentists who met in dental school. Dr. Murad Zaman, Dr. Sunny Virdi, and Dr. Todd Honcharik often discussed their dream of partnering one day as practice owners. After graduating, they worked as associates in various parts of Rural Manitoba for several years. These years gave them valuable clinical experience and a deeper understanding of how they would like to operate a practice. In 2019, they seized a unique opportunity to jointly acquire a well-established practice from a colleague’s father and respected mentor. The original three-op practice opened 30 years ago in City Place Mall, downtown Winnipeg. The unit was too small for the three partners and needed an aesthetic refresh, so they swiftly acted on an opportunity to relocate the office into a much larger 3300 sq/ft unit on the 2nd story of the mall where they would enjoy much more exposure to foot traffic.
THE HOW: Planning & Preparation
The lease negotiations lasted longer than they expected. During this time, they were getting established with the patient base while working out of the original 3-op space. They didn’t want to rush the negotiations because they understood that their long-term future would be impacted by the details contained within the lease. Designing and renovating a modern space inside the walls of a 100-year-old building was filled with unexpected challenges that required extensive collaborations between the owners, trades, and design team. The unit they were moving into was already a modernized space. It had beautiful glass doors that they decided to keep and use for their operatories. The unique pie-shaped space was large enough to hold 10-12 operatories. While laying out the floor plans, they decided against a cramped design, placing more importance on having eight spacious operatories for greater comfort and better workflow.
THE RESULTS: Technical Design Features
It was essential to everyone that the new space be a welcoming environment for team members to function smoothly while flowing patients comfortably like guests in their homes. The inviting practice evokes a modern feeling of luxury and comfort rather than the purely clinical atmosphere of yesterday’s office. They chose cozy residential decor instead of the traditional commercial waiting room and chairs concept. The fashionable lighting fixtures, couches, and coffee tables make the reception area feel more like entering a comfortable living room in someone’s home. They incorporated various design elements, such as custom built-in furnishings and personalized cabinetry with harmonized deep blues and walnut wood-like finishes. In support of local businesses, they also started an art program where local artists can hang their art pieces throughout the office, exposing their beautiful work. The art pieces are changed out monthly to refresh the décor settings.
THE IMPACT: Empowered Practice Outcomes
The pandemic has caused the downtown core of many large cities to thin out. In a heartfelt effort to reestablish the livelihood of Winnipeg’s city center, they celebrate their patients who live in the area with various loyalty programs, including gift bags filled with local business goods and special oral health products from their dental practice. The doctors and team have a passion for providing life-changing cosmetic dentistry. As a result, they created a state-of-the-art “Smile Studio” dedicated to smile design consultations with extensive camera equipment for advanced patient photography and treatment planning. Cityplace Dental Group has a strong influence in their community and is excited to serve their patients as guests in their beautiful new office.
Interior Design: Design Shop
Construction: Hedman Construction
Equipment Supplier: Henry Schein
About the Authors
Darcie is co-founder of Bella Vita Designs Inc, an interior design company specializing in creating beautiful, functional spaces for start-ups, remodelling, expanding, or relocating your dream practice. To discuss your office space needs or to have your proud story & unique design featured, she can be reached at darcie@bellavitadesigns.ca / IG @bellavitadesignsinc / 905-716-8528.
Peter is the Founder of Practice Mastery Inc., a Business Development Coaching company that serves the growth & development needs of your practice. His unique coaching empowers teams, principal dentists, associates & industry companies across North America to achieve extraordinary growth, higher income, and exceptional quality of life. FMI IG @peterbarrycoach, peter@practicemastery.com, www.practicemastery.com, 416.568.5456.
