Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
WDS Integrated Design Build joined MEND Wellness, community leaders, project partners and guests June 10 to celebrate the grand opening of MEND Wellness, a new 7,000-square-foot integrative wellness center in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a design-build project that transformed an existing commercial space into a wellness center focused on whole-person health, recovery and long-term well-being.
MEND Wellness brings together medical, wellness and holistic practitioners under one roof, offering services including concierge medicine, hormone health, women’s health, medical weight management, nutrition counseling, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy and IV infusion therapy, according to a press release. The center also offers membership programs designed to provide ongoing access to wellness services and support.
WDS joined the project after the initial concept had been designed but encountered constructability and budget challenges that limited progress. The company worked with subcontractors, consultants and engineering partners during the planning process to evaluate the design and identify opportunities to improve functionality and feasibility.
Project partners identified several infrastructure issues that could have affected operations after opening, including electrical systems that were not designed to support specialized medical and wellness equipment planned for certain treatment rooms. Additional modifications included adjustments to the yoga room and improvements to the separation of public and private shower areas.
“From the beginning, Mike and the WDS team took the time to truly understand how we wanted the space to function, not just how we wanted it to look,” Dr. Michael Beck, founder of MEND Wellness, said. “They asked questions we hadn’t considered, identified challenges before they became problems and brought together the right experts to make sure the facility could support our services today and as we grow in the future.”
WDS worked with trade partners and engineers to revise portions of the design, align the project with operational requirements and support MEND Wellness’ long-term goals.
“One of the biggest advantages of design-build is the ability to bring the right people to the table early,” Mike Marden, founder of WDS Integrated Design Build, said. “Successful projects are about more than delivering a finished space. By bringing the right experts into the conversation early, we can help owners make informed decisions and avoid costly surprises during construction. That’s what allows us to help clients protect their vision while creating spaces that function exactly as intended.”
Company officials said the project reflects growing demand for wellness-focused facilities and illustrates how integrated project delivery can help owners manage tenant-improvement projects through improved coordination and planning.
The grand opening included remarks from project leaders, guided tours of the facility and opportunities for guests to learn about the collaboration behind the project.
