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Location, Lake-ation


 

At long last, the day had come. The office of the doctors I see most frequently was officially open at the Lakefront.

The website says the building, officially named the South Lake Medical Office Building, looks like this. I suspect this is not a photograph but something more aspirational. An artist’s rendering?



I came early to allow extra time to find a place to park, as directed by the office. And then I didn’t really know where to park. There’s a lot in front of the building that doesn’t really feel connected to the building. And, from that lot, it isn’t exactly easy to figure out where the entrance of the building is. Knowing that piece of information is a good thing when deciding where to park. 

Still, I chose a spot and found my way up to the building. It isn’t entirely self-explanatory but I can’t say I was taking my life in my hands, either. As I neared the building I discovered a car ramp for car drop-offs, and a ramp that led to parking under the building. Ohh…well, that’s convenient.

Nice touch: I’m a big fan of doors that open when you wave at them. 

But what I really want to talk about are the views. Even on a cold December day they turned a routine office visit into An Event.






Could a beautiful view improve one’s work life? Standing at the window I began to imagine that it could. I also understood, for the first time, why some folks feel the pull to live at the Lakefront. Also - - could a beautiful view make you feel more relaxed and even cheer you up at a doctor’s visit? Honestly, after yesterday, I think it might.

Will we be reading in the not too distant future about Columbians who went to the doctor and then decided to uproot and purchase a new place to live close to Lake Kittamaqundi?

I must admit I didn’t see the point of a medical building in that location. I wasn’t opposed. I just didn’t have any feelings one way or the other. After yesterday I could see it as a very astute way to get people to that area on a regular basis and see what the Lakefront has to offer. 

It will take a while for me to fully explore the campus of the new building but my first impression is that it is, like almost every other building downtown, a shrine to the automobile. At least, the side facing towards Little Patuxent Parkway is. 

I continue to be mesmerized and appalled by how marooned we are in Columbia/HoCo surburbanland. A recent drive down Little Patuxent Parkway, in the blocks where HCC and the Columbia Flier building are located, shows multiple disconnected islands awash in parking lots. Without cars none of it makes sense. - - Beyond Hellscape, September 9, 2020

Now it may be that the lake side of the building introduces one to a perfect Eden of walkability. I don’t know. I caught a glimpse of a public art piece as I drove around the building once my visit was complete. It’s called Duet, and it’s by sculptor Foon Sham. I look forward to seeing that up close.

Appointment finished, I celebrated by driving across the street to another parking lot where I picked up a few things at Lidl. I should add that my first visit to Lidl didn’t exactly thrill me but it has really grown on me since then.

If you have already been to the new medical building I’d be interested in your thoughts.


 Village Green/Town² Comments 


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  1. Julia A. McCreadyDecember 18, 2025 at 4:43 AM

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