Vanguard in La Grange Debuts Medical Offices in Former Attic

Virtually no hint remains that the second floor of Vanguard Medical Group in La Grange was once mostly a disused attic.

The upstairs of the building at 47 S. 6th Ave. has been completely renovated into two state-of-the-art modern medical offices for the group’s orthopedics and plastic/reconstructive surgery practitioners, both relocating from Westchester.

Construction on the second floor began in January, was completed at the end of June and finally officially celebrated at a grand opening last Wednesday.

“It was a challenge, because it was an attic space… It took some time to get all the drawings and the permits and all that,” said practice manager Kim Caulfield. “[We] had quite a challenge in designing and making it look high-end, someplace where you’d absolutely want to have your cosmetic procedure.”

For instance, the X-ray room had to be built by bringing in the X-ray machine and then building the entire room around it. Some of the ceilings had to be raised and joists had to be moved. 

But Vanguard staff said that the result has been well worth the effort, with a spiffy new modern-style interior that they say offers a welcoming environment without off-putting hospital-style starkness.

“We’re just really happy as far as the space and the layout; it’s worked out really well for us,” said Dr. Thomas Smith, the orthopedics specialist who has moved into one of the two new suites. “We’re excited to be in La Grange, and we think that we can be a valuable asset to the area.” 

Smith and plastic/reconstructive specialist Dr. Michael DeWolfe, who occupies the other new suite, both relocated to La Grange from Westchester; Smith said the new location gives a much better sense that the offices are part of a community.

“We were stuck in an old 90’s strip of office buildings; people would drive past us and not even know we were there,” Smith said. “So it’s been good to be here and it’s great for me, because it’s centrally located… You’ve got La Grange next door to go get a cup of coffee or go have breakfast or lunch before or after your appointment.”

47 S.  6th Ave. has been a medical building on and off since the 1950’s; Vanguard took over and redid the lower level two years ago. In addition to orthopedics and plastic/reconstructive surgery on the upper floor, the lower floor has specialists in endocrinology, internal medicine, ob/gyn and family medicine.