So up for discussion and opinions? Two more to consider. The first property is a building on 7th Avenue, right across from St. Joe’s. This building has been recently renovated (down to the bare bones) and the exterior has been finished but the interior is a complete blank canvas for us to design. The location and the ability to design our own space are very attractive; the downside would be that it is not a house and there is little/no outdoor area. There would be plenty of room for classrooms and meeting space and three lovely birth suites.
The second property is in downtown Scottsdale, a minute away from Scottsdale Osborn hospital. It is hard to see from the picture, but it used to be the Waterfalls Spa. It is the largest of all of the properties we have looked at. Although it would need some reconfiguring to suit our needs, there are many nice features that are already in place (such as a two-room beautiful yoga studio!). There is PLENTY of parking and a wonderful drive-up area with 2 natural fountains and a koi pond.
Initially, we were limiting our search to central Phoenix; however, we have looked at EVERYTHING there and when we found the spa property we had to take a look. What are your thoughts about a Scottsdale location?
We had a great afternoon of looking at our short list of properties yesterday. We have narrowed it down to 2 strong possibilities, each with their own set of pros and cons.
The first is a complex of 2 houses, set up as one property with a common lot and shared driveway. It is located on Missouri and within 5 miles (and about 8-10 min.) of St. Joe’s, Banner Good Sam, and Children’s. The larger home has a nice floor plan with a reception area, 3 office/exam rooms and 1 bathroom in the front of the house. There is a good-sized living area and updated kitchen with eating area. The back of the house has 2 master bedrooms with large bathrooms that would work well for either two large birthing suites, or one back-up birthing suite and one classroom (which has access directly off the parking lot). The smaller of the 2 houses could be the primary birthing suite if we chose to use the bigger house for mostly exams and community activities. It could also work as additional offices, etc. Unfortunately, it might be too small to use as a classroom space. We still don’t have a floorplan with dimensions, and we only had about 1 minute to visualize moving walls (it is currently occupied). Other than moving the wall in the smaller house (to make 2 small rooms into 1 larger room), we probably wouldn’t need to move around walls or rearrange plumbing/electrical in either house. The interior of the houses will need paint and freshening up, but not much else. There are 2 patio areas and a small but usable yard, with beautiful landscaping, and room for a play area and/or possibly a pool. The cons are the parking situation and limited space for classrooms/community activities. The property has space for 12 cars and there is limited street parking. It would get a little tight, though, with everyone coming and going at the same time for classes. There is the potential that we could solve the classroom space problem by leasing an additional property which is 5 houses down the street (less than 1 block and no streets to cross). That property looks like a house, but is set up as open office space (would be okay for classes) and has 8 parking spaces. However, it wouldn’t have the community-all-in-one-space feeling and would add quite a bit to our overhead costs.
The second is a unique stand-alone building at Osborne and 12th Place, and closer to St. Joe’s, Banner Good Sam, and Children’s (within 2 miles and about 5 minutes). Not a house, no yard. But — the space is incredible! There is plenty of room for classes. Plenty is an understatement actually! It has been recently updated and has beautiful finishes (new carpet, fresh paint, all hardwood-style floors upstairs). Vaulted ceilings, interesting stone, etc. The first floor has over 3,00o square feet of space for offices and several large open areas perfect for classrooms and meetings. The second story itself is an additional 3,000 square feet and would comfortably house the birthing suites, with space for a large family area, beautiful birth rooms, bathrooms, the Michel Odent cave room that Shell and I have been hoping for, ALL of the great ideas for props that you have suggested. *Side note: we would of course put those in the first property, too. It’s just that the second has a lot more space to play around with.* The cons are that there is no yard, and we would have to do quite a bit of remodeling to the birthing suites to add the bathrooms and reconfigure the space to make it feel like a home upstairs. It is expensive (but not more expensive than leasing all 3 properties for the first option). We will have to take a serious look at exactly what we can do as far as remodeling goes – to see what is even possible.
So that’s where we are. Even though this is a good real estate market for a buyer, our specific requirements make the list of potential properties shorter than most. We’ve looked at a LOT of properties that just won’t work. Over the next week, we will be looking at the financial aspects of the two properties and will be trying to figure out which is the most prudent and serves the community the best. Which sounds more appealing to you? Any strong opinions one way or the other? I posted this question on facebook yesterday, before looking at the properties (with not as many details) and really appreciate all of your responses. Do the additional details change or strengthen your previous opinion? If you are a childbirth educator (doula, birth advocacy group, infant massage instructor, prenatal yoga teacher, etc.) it would especially be helpful to hear from you regarding what size are your classes or groups on average? How many parking spaces do you need per class?
Also, if you have questions or comments you would like to make to me off-line, please feel free. You can email me at babymooninn@gmail.com or give me a call at 480.270.9819. I have been getting a lot of calls from expectant moms looking for out-of-hospital childbirth classes — if you are a childbirth instructor (or any type of birth-related or women’s group), I would love to hear from you so I can pass along your information. I can’t WAIT until we have the space ready to open the doors and start hosting all of the wonderful resources available here in Phoenix.
Julia
As in two steps forward . . . you know the rest! Despite our best efforts, the lease negotations on the property on Palm have not worked out. The good news is, we have already identified several other properties and are working towards making a deal. As soon as we have a letter of intent signed, I’ll post the location.
We hope that this will not put us behind on our schedule for opening, as the short-list properties will most likely not require as much remodeling work as we anticipated having to do for the property on Palm. The home for the Babymoon Inn is waiting for us . . . and we WILL find it.
Thank you for all the warm wishes and great energy. Please keep it coming.
Today is my husband’s birthday (Happy Birthday Steven) and vividly in my mind is the story his mother tells of his birth in a brand new hospital where they had forgotten to install the warming lights. Baby Steven, away from his mama (the best and ONLY warming unit I know), turned blue on the cold steel table.
As we are working through the lease negotiations (the last piece left before we can began preparing our property), thinking of this story gives me extra motivation to push through on the project . . . and makes me think about a list of things that might be overlooked. I’m not talking about midwifery or clinical supplies — anyone who has met Shell knows that she is prepared, checked and double-checked. No, I’m thinking more about things that would be oh so nice to have, if only we had thought of them! The small detail things. The things a mama might have meant to bring herself but forgot. Like mouthwash and a toothbrush. Or popsicles. Or chapstick. Or . . . ?
It’s been an exciting week and we have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and encouragement from the community. I LOVE all the creative ideas and suggestions for the birth space — the consistent theme seems to be that we need to provide options and variety. We have an amazing list going of birth props and I can’t wait to see how they will be used. Ladders, ropes, stools, pillows, bolsters . . .which one will be the favorite in THAT moment?
I’ve noticed in hearing birth stories that frequently there is a strong food memory. I can remember each delicious bite of the chicken casserole I devoured after my sweet Robert made his beautiful birth center appearance. I also can picture exactly the M&Ms that Leigh brought to me after Sadie’s birth (no chocolate has EVER tasted that good!). Do you have a food memory to share? Also, if you used a birth prop — what was JUST RIGHT in the moment? I LOVED a birth ball and a door frame (to hold on for long, low squats) . . . what was right for YOU?
Thanks so much for all the love and support! We’ve received a few questions like this one:
I figure if I am confused, then others must be also. On the babymoon site, there is info on why you are letting the center go and so I am thinking that your “doors” are not open. But then, on the site, it also has Questions and Answers which give detailed info on the birth center as if it were open??? Can you help me straighten this out in my own mind?
We have had to let our first location on Monte Vista go, which was a heart-breaker. We’ve been diligently searching for a new location and hope to be close to signing a lease on that new property. Our doors are not open for births now and we will not be operating as a birth center until we receive our facility license from the Department of Health Services.
However, we are working towards the goal of opening the Babymoon Inn birth center as soon as possible! As soon as our facility is secured and ready, our doors and our hearts are WIDE open for you to come tour, ask questions, hold informal meetings, give us your input. As SOON as our doors are open for births, we will let you know. If you live in Phoenix, you will likely be able to hear me shouting for joy . . .
Julia
Please make yourself comfortable and get to know who we are, who we serve, and our vision for the birthing center and community.
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info@babymooninn.com
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