Doctor builds career in urban redevelopment

A North Carolina internist took his interest in architecture and design beyond just a hobby.

By Pamela Lewis Dolan, AMNews staff. Sept. 3, 2007.

Making sidelines pay
Doctors who branched out beyond running their practice tell why they did it, how they did it, and what you should know before you do it. Contribute

Name: Andrew Rothschild, MD

Specialty: Internal medicine

Location: Durham, N.C.

Business: Scientific Properties, a real estate development firm that got its start by developing lab space for biotechnology companies. Its portfolio now includes new development, urban redevelopment and historic rehabilitation and preservation. Much of Scientific Properties' work has involved the expansive rehabilitation of downtown Durham. Dr. Rothschild turned one historic building into the Triangle Biotechnology Center, and has renovated (or is renovating) other properties for office, retail and entertainment use.

Annual revenue: "We don't disclose annual revenue, but we have a significant pipeline of hundreds of millions of dollars of development under way, and the business continues to grow quite significantly."

Why he started the business: "I had a lot of interests outside of medicine, particularly design and architecture were in the realm of hobbies and interests. I grew disenchanted with clinical practice and started looking for other avenues of professional engagement."