Anchor Health Properties Marks the Completion of a Nearly 12,000 Square Foot Redevelopment, Repurposing a Former Movie Theater into a Specialty Eye Care Facility
Built to serve the community of Hixson, Tennessee and the surrounding area, Anchor marked the completion of a transformative redevelopment of a former movie theater into an 11,835 square foot patient-centric specialty eye center. In a fee-for-service development role, Anchor worked alongside key leadership from Southeastern Retina Associates (SERA), a leader in retina specialist care with locations in Eastern Tennessee, Southern Virginia, and Northern Georgia. Each phase of the project was carefully managed to align with the private practice’s goal of expanding access to specialty eye care while reinforcing their brand presence in the area.
In collaboration with physician ownership and key stakeholders, Anchor delivered comprehensive expertise and resources at every stage of the project. This included site identification and evaluation, due diligence and financial analysis, design and construction oversight, and post-occupancy commissioning. Recognizing a unique expansion opportunity within a former movie theater, Anchor’s team facilitated the acquisition of a targeted suite and subsequently renovated the dedicated space to meet the high standards and specific building codes required for healthcare use.
A key component of this project was the implementation of innovative structural solutions. The project team reimagined two former theater rooms as clinical spaces, employing bracing and platforming to level the sloped floors, ensuring optimal patient flow and accessibility. The former theater lobby was also redesigned into a welcoming waiting and registration area, thoughtfully integrating SERA’s brand aesthetic to build continuity across their network of clinics. The repurposed patient-centric space allows for three providers to see patients simultaneously and features dedicated exam pods, specialized exam rooms, and lab space for clinical trials.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of this distinctive adaptive reuse project, designed to meet the evolving needs of healthcare providers,” shared Kollin Rommel, Senior Development Director with Anchor. “This project is a testament to our team's creative approach to development, design, and construction, which allowed us to reimagine an existing space to meet the specific needs of the practice. Our long-standing relationship with SERA has played a critical role in achieving this vision. Working closely with physician leadership, we were able to deliver a facility that supports their growth and enhances access to high-quality care for the community.”
Jon Nelson, Senior Vice President, Asset Management & Development echoed these sentiments, “Repurposing a former movie theater into a premier specialty healthcare environment meets the needs of SERA’s growing patient base while preserving the unique character of the community. This project truly reflects our commitment to adaptive reuse, revitalizing existing structures in ways that bring lasting value. By maintaining elements of the community’s familiar landscape, we are able to deliver accessible and convenient healthcare services in a modernized, patient-centered environment.”
Regionally based firms with extensive healthcare facility experience served as part of the project team, including Design Innovation Architects, who provided architecture and design services; P&C Construction, who served as the general contractor; Proficient Engineering who provided MEP engineering services; and, Haines Structural Group, who provided structural engineering services.
The Hixson Retina Center opened its doors to patients in September 2024.