Through funding from the School of Medicine Educational Trust, GMK Associates was retained to renovate the USC School of Medicine Richland Campus Medical Park 4 building to create three new modern ophthalmology clinics. Originally conceived as a traditional design-bid-build project, the Trust decided to utilize GMK’s design-build methodology in order to accelerate the construction schedule.

The scope of the approximately $4.9M project entailed renovation or replacement of various mechanical and electrical systems throughout the 26,127-gross-square-foot, three-story building. A sprinkler system was installed and other life safety such as fire alarm devices and emergency lighting were replaced. Restrooms were renovated to provide accessibility and meet current code requirements. The space was programmed and renovated to provide 32 eye lane exam rooms, check-in/checkout areas, waiting rooms, offices, and other related spaces as required for three fully well-designed Ophthalmology Clinics.

In 2020, due to the pandemic and changing economic conditions, the plans for ophthalmology clinics were temporarily abandoned, and the space was re-envisioned as flexible medical office space for future tenants to be determined as market factors dictate. The project is now slated for completion by early 2022.