Shell Point Larsen Health Center

Ft. Myers, FL

Replacing the nearly 50 year old skilled nursing facility, the new state-of-the-art 180-bed Larsen Health Center brings together all of the community’s health care services under one roof. The ground floor features the Barbour Medical Clinic with reception and waiting areas, exam and procedure rooms, and nurse’s stations; dental suite; pharmacy; and the Roulston Therapy Center with a gym and therapy pool. The ground floor also features a grand entrance, administrative offices and conference rooms, educational rooms, chapel, coffee bar, sitting areas with a fireplace, and outdoor dining deck. The central kitchen is located on the second floor and dining rooms are located on floors two through six. The new health center also includes sunrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the Caloosahatchee River, a salon and day spa, butterfly garden and prayer gardens, boardwalk, and gazebo.

Building the WeitzWay

Virtual reality was used to support the construction of the new 180-bed Larsen Health Center. Executives and operations personnel from Shell Point Retirement Community toured a 3D virtual model of the 195,141 SF building. The 3D model allowed Shell Point to review room layouts in the virtual environment and communicate concerns or necessary changes before work began in the field.

Physical mock-ups were created for a typical patient room, an exterior window and veneer assembly, and of a shower waterproofing drain assembly. These mock-ups were used to coordinate details of how different materials tied into one another and to ensure material compatibility. As a result, the client modified the locations of the bedside receptacles and changed an above bed light. The client also modified the originally scheduled location of the bed in the room because it did not provide enough space for larger wheel chair that the community prefers to use.

“The project team…exceeded our expectations in the construction of this 180-bed skilled nursing and medical office facility…There were many contributing factors to the success of the project, but the most important to me is the care and consideration the Weitz team gave to our residents and staff who live and work in the area where the Larsen Health Center was built.”

Adam Hinds
Vice President - Operations / Shell Point Retirement Community