It was announced last fall that HOK Architecture, the largest US-based architecture-engineering firm, would be acquiring Kansas City based 360 Architecture, which has maintained a sizable Columbus office in the Arena District since 1999. Today, the completion of the acquisition is being celebrated locally, which means that HOK has officially launched its Columbus branch.
“We acquired 360 because we consider them the world’s most innovative designers of stadiums, ballparks, arenas, recreation and wellness centers, and mixed-use entertainment districts,” said Patrick MacLeamy, HOK’s chairman and CEO. “This partnership also enables us to provide design services to all types of clients through new HOK offices in Kansas City and Columbus. It’s a transformative acquisition that will bring significant benefits to our clients and people.”
Over the past 16 years in Columbus, 360 Architecture has worked on notable projects including Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, the Arena Grand Theatre, the North Bank Condos, the LC Pavillion and Milestone 229. HOK has worked on projects in Columbus that include the Downtown Hilton Hotel and the OSU Wexner Medical Center.
“I think all people appreciate good design, whether or not they can articulate what it is they like about it,” said HOK Columbus practice leader Dan Hanes in our Design Digest feature on 360 Architecture in 2012. “That is the challenge I enjoy when it comes to designing in Columbus. To take into account the taste of the general public and still try to design a project that is pushing the architecture forward.”
HOK Architecture maintains offices in over 20 cities around the world, including New York, London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Dubai, Los Angeles, Chicago and others.
For more information, visit www.hok.com/about/locations/columbus/.