Inside the Build: What Healthcare Developers Can Learn from Broker–Contractor Collaboration

Las Vegas, NV — At just under 5,000 square feet, the newly constructed facility for the Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada (CDIN) may be modest in size, but it represents a major shift in how medical space is being built in Southern Nevada. With no new medical office buildings completed in Q1 2025 and only 46,950 SF expected to deliver in the next year, the market is seeing record-high rents ($2.87/SF FSG overall) and limited supply. CDIN’s successful delivery—on budget, code-compliant, and ready for care—is proof that the smartest healthcare projects aren’t just designed, they’re strategically planned through early broker–contractor collaboration.

In this high-cost, low-supply environment, providers are increasingly repurposing existing office spaces into state-of-the-art, patient-centered facilities. But this transformation requires far more than architectural plans and permits. It demands insight, foresight, and an experienced team aligned from day one.

To explore what makes these projects succeed, we spoke with two industry leaders behind the CDIN build: Cory Frank, Vice President of Business Development and Project Management at Nigro Construction, and Stacy Shapiro, CCIM, Vice President of the Healthcare & Investment Division at Colliers. Their insights reveal how close coordination from the outset can prevent delays, reduce costs, and result in medical environments designed for today—and built for tomorrow.

Q1: What makes medical facility construction so different from a typical commercial project?

Cory Frank, Nigro Construction:
“From a builder’s perspective, everything is highly technical. We start by assessing whether the site or existing space can support the design. Surgical facilities come with additional code layers on top of local regulations. Missing those early can lead to serious cost overruns.”

Stacy Shapiro, Colliers:
“Medical construction is more complex than standard commercial projects. You have to plan for patient access, visibility, zoning, and utilities like water and power for heavy equipment. From the shell up, these spaces must be custom-designed to meet strict regulatory and safety requirements.”

Q2: What’s the smartest way to kick off a medical facility project and avoid issues down the line?

Stacy Shapiro:
“Start with the patient base—where they live, what insurance they use. Then align on location and zoning. Your broker, contractor, and architect should be engaged from day one to ensure the site supports your long-term vision and evolving regulations.”

Cory Frank:
“Beyond location analysis, the most important decision is your team. Picking a team that helps you understand the budget, timeline, compliance, and responsibilities will save you from costly mistakes—for example, hiring staff before the facility is ready.”

Q3: What trends or innovations are shaping the way medical spaces are designed and built today?

Cory Frank:
“Resale value is top of mind. Healthcare providers are becoming owner-developers, so design is now future-proofed—larger operating rooms, better tech integration, and flexible layouts that can evolve.”

Stacy Shapiro:
“We're seeing a push toward wellness-focused design—touchless tech, better ventilation, green materials, and natural light. These environments not only improve outcomes but are also more attractive to patients and investors.”

Q4: If you were advising a healthcare executive planning a new facility, what’s your first tip?

Stacy Shapiro:
“Bring in experienced professionals early. A healthcare-savvy contractor can prevent cost overruns. Your broker should help you find a viable location. Peer benchmarking is also key to avoid reinventing the wheel.”

Cory Frank:
“Get crystal clear on your timeline—not just the budget. Know what falls outside the contractor’s scope, like furniture or medical equipment. A smooth opening hinges on everything being in sync.”

Q5: What’s the difference between renovating an existing space versus building new?

Cory Frank:
“Renovations carry more hidden risks. Updating infrastructure to current code can blow up costs and timelines. New builds are more predictable. We help clients evaluate whether a retrofit is really worth it.”

Stacy Shapiro:
“It depends on the purpose. Turning an office into a surgical center can be expensive if the structure can’t handle equipment or utilities. Parking, power, HVAC, and water all factor in. Often a fresh build is more cost-effective than extensive retrofits.”

Q6: When brokers and contractors team up early, what are the top five things they need to get right?

Cory Frank:
“Here are the essentials: 1) Choose the right location, 2) Ensure regulatory compliance, 3) Design for function, 4) Manage costs, 5) Align timelines – all from the beginning.”

Stacy Shapiro:
“Our five-step collaboration: 1) Walk the site together for feasibility, 2) Work with the architect to refine layout and cost, 3) Coordinate due diligence during escrow, 4) Run permitting and design in parallel, and 5) Share real-time market data on costs and trends. It’s teamwork from start to finish.”

Final Takeaway: Plan First, Build Better

In a city where rents are climbing and availability is shrinking, projects like CDIN highlight what’s possible when medical builds are approached with both urgency and alignment.

“This is what it looks like when brokers and builders plan together—not just react,” said Frank.

The Las Vegas healthcare development landscape may be changing, but one thing remains clear: the best outcomes start long before ground is broken. With collaborative leadership, a clear roadmap, and a patient-centered mindset, today’s medical developers can turn complexity into opportunity—and lay a foundation for healthier communities.

Contributors

Stacy Shapiro, CCIM, LEED Green Associate

Vice President, Healthcare & Investment Division, Colliers International

Stacy Shapiro, CCIM specializes in the investment sales, leasing, and site selection of healthcare and seniors housing properties, as well as repositioning of office and industrial assets for medical, life sciences, and R&D use. Clients benefit from her expertise in providing real estate solutions through unparalleled service, market knowledge, and results. Stacy is highly experienced in site selection, dispositions, development, and property valuation. She serves as a Healthcare Fellow and mentor within the Colliers Healthcare Services division, is a member of the Colliers Life Sciences and Seniors Housing teams, and founded the Colliers Healthcare Services group in Southern Nevada.

Stacy has more than 20 years of experience in brokerage advisory services, joining Colliers in 2012. Prior to Colliers, she was a Director with Cushman & Wakefield specializing in brokerage of office and healthcare assets, and served as head of leasing and construction management for over 1,000,000 SF of healthcare and mixed-use properties developed in the Las Vegas metro area between 2004–2012.

She is currently an active member in Colliers International’s Links for Life Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to raising and distributing funds for local children and children’s charities. She also contributes time to Dress for Success and Ronald McDonald House charities.

Cory Frank

Vice President of Business Development & Project Management, Nigro Construction, Inc.

Cory Frank is the Vice President of Business Development and Project Management at Nigro Construction, Inc., where he oversees the company’s daily operations including design, development, cost analysis, and employee development. With over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, Cory has contributed to all areas of the business—from field operations and permitting to preconstruction and federal contracting. He has managed complex projects for the Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, and various state and local agencies. Cory is also a devoted member of his community and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Danae, and their two sons.