CARLSBAD, Calif . – The Carlsbad community will soon benefit from a much-needed medical office facility as construction nears completion on Carlsbad Medical Center.  The 40,655-square-foot medical office development by H.G. Fenton Development Company is being built exclusively for Scripps Health.

“Scripps Health’s new location will play a vital role in the growth of Carlsbad’s medical community,” said Geoff Swortwood, vice president of commercial building development for H.G. Fenton Company, which manages H.G. Fenton Development Company.  “We have been working with Scripps to assure we build to its vision so the facility can serve as a valuable community asset and contribute to the well-being of the Carlsbad community for many years to come.”

Construction on the exterior of Carlsbad Medical Center was completed in early April and tenant improvements will soon be under way.  The facility, located at 2176 Salk Ave., will provide medical office and exam rooms, plus radiology, and is scheduled to open to the community in October 2008.

“As North County continues to grow, the need for health care services, particularly outpatient services, grows as well,” said Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of Scripps Health.  “Scripps is proud of our investment in Carlsbad to meet the community’s health care needs, which will make it easier for residents of Carlsbad and surrounding communities to access our physicians, programs and services.”

Sillman Wright Architectsdesigned Carlsbad Medical Center, which offers contemporary architectural elements through a complementary mix of concrete, stone and glass finishes.  Perkins & Will are providing the interior design. Ledcor Construction is both the shell and tenant improvement contractor.

Located on the northeastern rim of H.G. Fenton Company’s master-planned Carlsbad Research Center, Carlsbad Medical Center offers spectacular back canyon views to the west, north and east.

“We are very pleased that we are able to provide a facility that will meet the growing health care needs of the Carlsbad community,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of H.G. Fenton Company.   “We have a long-term commitment to Carlsbad and are proud of not only the projects we have developed here, but of the quality tenants that locate within our projects and add more value to the community.”

In 2004, H.G. Fenton Company acquired the 53-acre parcel that is the site of Carlsbad Research Center (and the largest remaining piece of employment land located west of El Camino Real in Carlsbad). H.G. Fenton Company, working with Newport National Corporation, is developing a business community that consists of H.G. Fenton Company’s Carlsbad Medical Center as well as Newport National’s Ventana Real.

ABOUT H.G. FENTON COMPANY

Founded in San Diego in 1906, H.G. Fenton Company enters its second century of service providing quality places to live and work.  The organization today manages investments of roughly $60 million in various residential and commercial developments in Southern California. H.G. Fenton also manages an active development pipeline of land and commercial projects, over 3 million square feet of office and industrial space, and 11 apartment communities totaling 2,800 homes to meet its customers’ current and future needs.

H.G. Fenton Company is headquartered in San Diego at 7577 Mission Valley Road, San Diego, Calif., 92108.  The company website is www.hgfenton.com.

ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Healthis a $1.8 billion non-profit community health system based in San Diego, Calif.  Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 12,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of clinics, physician offices and outpatient centers. Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and graduate medical education.  In 2006, Scripps spent $110.5 million to upgrade its facilities and technology across the San Diego region while providing significant charity care to the community — more than $195 million in uncompensated care in 2006. Scripps Health Foundation generates $75 million annually in charitable donations to support the Scripps mission.

Scripps facilities include: Scripps Green Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Scripps Mercy Hospital, Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista, The Whittier Institute for Diabetes, 10 Scripps Clinic locations, three Scripps Mercy Medical Group locations, and Scripps Home Health Care Services.  More information can be found at www.scripps.org