Revive’s Eastlake location
Dave Pino Photography
According to the Association of American Med Spas, there were 8841 medical spas in the United States in 2022. With so much competition, especially in larger markets, it can feel like getting Botox is as common as ordering a latte at Starbucks. So, how can med spas stand out? For Revive, a chain of med spas with ten locations throughout California (and one on the way), the key is creating a unique experience for their clients through designing luxurious spaces that truly enhance the overall ambiance.
Revive’s Eastlake lounge
Dave Pino Photography
However, it’s not just about installing new flooring or choosing calming paint colors—it’s a true investment. Revive not only has a dedicated director of design, but they’ve also partnered with Gensler, one of the hottest architecture and design firms in the industry, to bring their vision to life.
Face Design Space Design
According to Zubin Patrawala, Director of Design and Construction, Revive’s focus on interior design is crucial to creating an experience for customers. “The term med spa requires it. At Revive, we have always created a luxury spa experience for all of our locations,” he says. “Beautiful, functional spaces that elevate a sense of service for our clients and staff alike. We have melded medical-grade treatments in a truly luxurious space that is both inviting and upscale.”
His vision was to create a glamorous space that not only had a wow factor but also felt like a respite. While most people feel better after getting fillers injected or laser treatment, it’s hard to deny the emotional aspect of these experiences. “We do this through the materials and finishes as well as in the overall architectural design of the space. At Revive, we aim to connect with each of our guests’ senses as soon as they walk through the space by creating grandeur, intimacy, comfort, sophistication, and fun throughout all our spaces.”
Eastlake’s sleek hallway
Dave Pino Photography
However, Revive’s effort isn’t just about an improved customer experience. According to Patrawala, it’s also about designing a space where the doctors and nurses also can work happily and comfortably, creating an ideal environment for them to thrive. “One of those customer experiences is something that not everyone may see. We create the back-of-house design with as much design-forward thinking as we do for the front of the house. Our practitioners have spaces where they feel excited, inspired, and comfortable. This environment, in turn, motivates our team to create a better experience for our guests.”
Eastlake, California Location
On February 5th, 2024 Revive opened up on its newest and most noteworthy location, in Eastlake California. Designed by Elizabeth Li Lopez Franco, associate interior designer at Gensler—she tells me the key design inspiration was to integrate local context to provide a meaningful connection and tie to the community. “This was accomplished with the soft, textural, and sandy tones that layer throughout the space to emulate the beaches of Eastlake and Chula Vista; as well as custom wall graphics created to depict the layered valley ranges of the city. Detailed moments that are engaging and compelling include the fluted sconces and scalloped wood casework that provide textural interest throughout the space.”
The office features a mix of unique and practical finishes including a quartz desk and oak-inspired luxury vinyl tile flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern which Patrawala tells me is a reflection of attention to detail on tonality throughout the space. Additionally, the chairs are custom-designed and the art is specifically chosen by Revive’s art gallery partner, Robin Rosenberg Fine Art.
Eastlake’s reception area
Dave Pino Photography
However, this location shouldn’t be perceived as a flagship for forthcoming openings. Every outpost, whether it’s a new spot or a renovation of an existing one, will have its unique features, explains Patrawala. “We have a defining aesthetic for all our Revive locations but we constantly update and innovate to achieve better designs with each project. While the Eastlake location is our most current concept, we will implement new design elements to capture the locality of each med spa as well as details that are nuanced for each space.”
Is This A New Era For Med Spas?
According to Franco, the med spa industry, especially aesthetic is shifting as a whole to create spaces similar to what Revive is doing. “The medical spa industry is focused on making people feel and look their best. Working with a design firm like Gensler, companies like Revive can design a space that is aesthetically pleasing and provides the functionality for the medical services offered to clients,” explains the designer. “Renovating the space is also a way to modernize offerings and appeal to a younger or newer generation of clients.”
Eastlake treatment room
Dave Pino Photography
While this is becoming more popular, especially in California, grand design hasn’t quite become the standard nationwide just yet. At least according to Nicole Pearl, a Beauty Expert and Small Business PR Consultant based in Chicago. She tells me, “I don’t necessarily think that med spas are becoming these bougie respites per se that feel more like a hotel or escape than a med spa, but I think some med spas are becoming more esthetically designed.”
However, Pearl thinks the greater focus on the design of these spaces makes them feel less clinical, more welcoming, and potentially more worth the money.