Due to lack of access to care in the Near North neighborhood of Minneapolis—a diverse, low-income community—University of Minnesota Physicians (M Physicians; Minneapolis) wanted to offer a freestanding clinic that would engage the community and promote wellness.

A former CVS site was transformed into the new location, named M Physicians Broadway Family Medicine Clinic. It’s now one of only two clinics that serve the entire north side of Minneapolis. Situated in a large, visible shopping plaza with parking, the clinic can now engage the community by holding special events such as farmers markets.

The clinic offers family medicine, but also serves as a teaching clinic for M Physicians. It also offers classes diabetes management classes, new baby and mother classes, classes on eating and healthy cooking, as well as mental health and social services.

Inside, the community connection to the clinic is evident with locally commissioned artwork. For example, a café space features a custom tile mosaic mural from neighborhood tile artisans and visual artist Christopher Harrison.

The lobby is bold and energetic using colors including blue, white, and yellow, textures including plexiglass and glass components, and art to engage staff and patients. This lobby connects through a series of movable walls to a meeting room and the café to accommodate groups as well as support the daily needs of the clinic including meetings with students and faculty and care team meetings.

 

Project details:

Facility name: M Physicians Broadway Family Medicine Clinic

Location: Minneapolis

Completion date: February 2021

Owner: University of Minnesota Physicians

Total building area: 16,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost: Confidential

Cost/sq. ft.: Confidential

Architectural design: Studio BV

Interior design: Studio BV

Architect of Record: Opus AE Group, L.L.C.

Design/build general contractor: Opus Design Build, L.L.C.

Engineering: N/A

Builder: Opus Design Build, L.L.C.