Case Studies

Blossom Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Ann Arbor, MI
Where a long-held vision, a determined doctor, and a deep-rooted connection brought something extraordinary to life. Some projects go beyond business. They touch something personal—and leave a lasting mark on a community.

The Situation

This one started decades ago, on a quiet street in Ann Arbor’s west side. Two elementary school kids, Nick and the future Dr. Elizabeth Barber, lived just a few houses apart. Ironically, a pediatric dentist lived on the street too. And one day, something unfortunate happened: Nick’s Siberian Husky escaped, caught Lizzie’s kitten, and the kitten didn’t survive. Her parents, not wanting to break her heart, simply said it had an accident.

 

Fast forward nearly 30 years, Dr. Barber, a thriving pediatric dentist who had recently acquired a respected practice from, none other than, Dr. James Clark—the pediatric dentist who used to live on their street.

 

  • Now a seasoned entrepreneur, Dr. Barber had successfully expanded the practice to include orthodontics. But her 3,300 SF space wasn’t cutting it.

  • She had a vision: a beautifully designed, modern, kid-friendly facility that she could own, grow into, and anchor her legacy from. But Ann Arbor, as you know, doesn’t make that easy, with many challenges:
    • No vacant dental properties
    • No viable land nearby
    • A lease that still had time left
    • And an ambitious vision for space, style, and patient experience
  • But Dr. Barber had two key assets:
      • A clear plan
      • And the right guide

The Process

  • We scoured the market. No luck.
  • We studied zoning maps and off-market leads. Still nothing—until we came across a small vacant parcel on Packard Road, tucked next to a cat clinic. It wasn’t listed for sale, but after some back-channeling (and a helpful conversation at the pool with a veterinarian friend), Nick got the cell number of the landowner. That was the spark.
  • Soon after, we kicked off a rigorous process:
    • Interviewed contractors
    • Selected a trusted builder with experience in dental ground-up construction
    • Referred Dr. Barber to Ann Arbor’s top civil engineer to help guide the entitlement process
    • Navigated site plan approval, tree replacement mandates, and a required donation to the parks department
    • Negotiated a lease extension at her current location to bridge the gap during construction

The Solution

  • None of it was fast or easy. Every step seemed to take longer than expected. But Dr. Barber never lost her focus.

  • Her determination and grace through obstacles were a testament to her strength—and her belief in what this practice could become.

The Result

  • Dr. Barber began seeing patients at her new building on July 14, 2025!
    • A stunning 9,000 square foot craftsman-style dental office—among the most beautiful medical buildings in Ann Arbor,
    • A space where pediatric and orthodontic care is seamlessly delivered in a setting that feels calming, inspiring, and deeply intentional,
    • And a physical reflection of Lizzie’s spirit, values, and vision
  • To Dr. Barber—your resilience, creativity, and warmth made this project unforgettable. You trusted us with a once-in-a-career opportunity, and we couldn’t be more proud to help bring it to life.
  • And to Nick—it feels good to have repaid an emotional debt, even decades later. (Yes—Lizzie’s parents eventually told her the truth about the kitten.)

Congratulations, Dr. Barber! You deserve every bit of this.

 

Blossom Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will shape the landscape of care in Ann Arbor for years to come. And the feedback from the community? We already know it’ll be glowing.

Mirlo Real Estate Partners has been instrumental in bringing our pediatric dental practice vision to life. In a highly competitive market with limited inventory, they successfully negotiated a deal for an off-market property that perfectly suits our needs. Their expertise and dedication were evident throughout the process. They navigated the complexities of the transaction with ease and provided invaluable guidance at every step. Thanks to their efforts, we recently broke ground on our new facility, and our dream practice facility is becoming a reality. I highly recommend Mirlo Real Estate Partners for their exceptional service and commitment to making their clients’ visions come true. -Dr. Elizabeth Barber, DDS | Blossom Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

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What Our Clients Are Saying

Remy was very helpful and straight forward with me about the challenges of starting a practice. He kept me well informed and was very proactive, a professional in every aspect of the real estate business. I could not have navigated this process without him; I will definitely use Remy for our future growth needs.

Dr. Kevin Semma, OD

Remy has been an indispensable part of my journey to build a veterinary practice. I had another commercial realtor that was not familiar with veterinary profession when Remy reached out to me. When I decided to stay with my previous realtor, Remy was willing to answer any questions I had or help in any way, even though I was not signing with him. I felt he genuinely wanted my business to succeed and wanted to help. Soon I realized the importance of having a realtor who has special knowledge of the healthcare field when choosing a space and decided to reach out to him. Remy is very professional, relaxed, and inviting. He brings his own expertise as well as others to consult about different aspects of building a practice. Remy is available, thoughtful, supportive, and assists in problem solving concerns that arise. The process was less stressful, because he was a partner in the process, not just a realtor. I have and will continue to recommend him for any commercial real estate needs.

Dr. Katie Boatman, DVM

Working with Mirlo Real Estate Partners was a great experience, and I could not be more impressed with the level of service I received. From the very beginning, Nick and Remy helped me establish my preferences and outlined the best strategy for my specific situation. Not only werethey able to find the PERFECT space for me in a brand new medical office building, but due to the tight deadline, they were also able to find me an OUTSTANDING temporary space to occupy during the construction period to minimize downtime for my practice. Their hard work and dedication really made the transition seamless. Their knowledge of my needs and the market was STRONG and helped me achieve VERY FAVORABLE terms. I would highly recommend them to any healthcare provider for their commercial real estate needs.

Dr. Alon Kahana, MD, PhD

We are incredibly grateful to Remy Isdaner for guiding us through the challenging journey of starting our veterinary practice. Remy’s knowledge was deemed invaluable from the outset, assisting us in every aspect of the startup process. Remy found just the right building, and it wasn’t even on the market. He contacted the owners and successfully negotiated a favorable deal, making our dream of owning a practice a reality. Remy’s professionalism, persistence, and genuine care for our success truly set him apart. We highly recommend Remy to any business owner needing support with their business endeavors!

Dr. Krysten Andrews, DVM & Dr. TJ Vernaci, DVM

As an established oral surgeon, I can wholeheartedly recommend Remy Isdaner and Mirlo Real Estate Partners to any medical professional seeking to start or expand their practice. Not only did Remy advocate and fight for my best interest, but he also demonstrated an unparalleled understanding of my industry, exceeding my expectations and making the process as smooth as possible. With Remy taking so much off my plate I was able to focus on building and marketing my business, allowing me to open my doors with a full schedule of patients. I could not be more satisfied with my experience working with Remy and my new, state-of-the-art oral surgery practice.

Dr. Robert John, DDS, MD

I am thrilled to share my experience with Mirlo Real Estate Partners. As an oral surgeon, the thought of handling a commercial real estate transaction and the subsequent buildout of my new office was daunting. However, Mirlo made the entire process seamless and efficient. From the outset, they were attentive to every detail of my requirements. Their knowledge and professionalism were evident as they guided us through each step, ensuring that every aspect of the deal was executed at the highest level. Nick and Remy worked hard to advocate for us and were committed partners in our success. Thanks to their exceptional service, I am now operating in a state-of-the-art facility, perfectly suited for my patients and staff. I wholeheartedly recommend Mirlo Real Estate Partners to anyone looking for a reliable and highly competent commercial real estate partner.

Dr. Jeffrey Wasielewski, DDS, MD, MBA