Godspeed Animal Care / Saint Francis Pet Resort & Rehabilitation

Project Overview

  • First Honor Award, Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate, Best Commercial/Retail Building under 20,000 SF
  • Three phase project allowed minimal disruption to existing operations
  • Luxury boarding and rehab wing feature private spaces

By separating new construction and renovations into three phases, the client’s practice was able to continue operations during construction.

After purchasing an animal hospital built in the late 1970s, the new owner found that the 3,500 sq. ft. facility needed to be modernized in order to operate efficiently. In addition, she sought to expand the facility in order to provide boarding and retail services. GuernseyTingle provided master planning for this upgrade and separated the new construction and renovation work into three phases, allowing the practice to continue operations during construction.

Phase one focused on interior modifications to the existing veterinary operations to increase efficiency and upgrade finishes, quickly building confidence with the owner’s clientele that the facility was being updated and upgraded.

An 865-square-foot building expansion and exterior façade renovation was outlined in phase two, adding much needed space for administrative and retail operations. This addition infilled the existing building’s “L” shape and added an exterior covered porch.

Phase three included a two-story, luxury boarding and rehabilitation wing with indoor/outdoor runs. This expansion was designed to complement the existing animal care practice by providing additional administration and retail space while housing boarding, rehabilitation, grooming, and canine play-care services. GuernseyTingle collaborated with the owner to develop a unique design, where each dog has a private indoor area connected to an enclosed, partially covered outdoor exercise area. Both inside and outside areas are designed for privacy so that the dogs cannot see one another, while giving attendants control and visibility over the entire boarding area. Cats are not boarded in the same area as dogs but have their own private nooks. These nooks look out to the existing wooded area, which were enhanced with bird and squirrel feeders.


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