flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

DLR Group broadens its practice range and market penetration with addition of Westlake Reed Leskosky

Architects

DLR Group broadens its practice range and market penetration with addition of Westlake Reed Leskosky

The merger, say company officials, creates “a global design leader” in a consolidating industry.


By John Caulfield, Senior Editor | September 21, 2016

Griff Davenport (left) and Paul Westlake, will lead a larger DLR Group, which recently joined with Westlake Reed Leskosky. The merger will expand the practices and geographies of both firms. Image: DLR Group

In the latest chapter of the industry’s ongoing consolidation saga, two of the top 50 architecture/engineering firms, DLR Group and Westlake Reed Leskosky (WRL), are joining forces, bringing together companies with 1,000 employees in 26 locations worldwide.

This is the second addition to its stable in the last 14 months for Omaha, Neb.-based DLR. In July 2015, it acquired SORG Architects, which works primarily in the Washington D.C. area, and will now operate as DLR Group|Sorg|Westlake Reed Leskosky.

The 112-year-old WRL, founded by the youngest son of U.S. President James Garfield, will extend DLR’s presence into such eastern metros as Cleveland (WRL’s headquarters city), New York, and Charlotte. “Strategically, this increases the geographic reach of both firms,” said Griff Davenport, chief executive of DLR, which turns 50 this year.

Paul Westlake, FAIA, FACHA, WRL’s Managing Principal, added that there is little overlap of practice type specialization or clientele between the two firms, and that he sees “lots of opportunities” for DLR to fatten its nine practices on these new markets. Right before the deal was announced, Westlake informed a university president about the merger, “and he said that the university had three projects on the horizon that fit DLR’s specialties.”

Westlake considered DLR’s K-12 practice to be “the best in the country,” whereas Davenport singled out WRL’s Cultural and Performing Arts practice, a sector where the two firms had worked together on projects previously.

Other practices for the combined firm include Energy Services, Hospitality, Healthcare, Justice, Preservation, Retail, Mixed-Use, Sports, and Office.

As a Senior Principal of the combined company, Westlake will lead its Culture and Performing Arts Studio, and become a member of DLR Group’s board of directors. He told BD+C that he felt this change would return him to his roots as a designer, as well as take full advantage of his experience growing a company. (Westlake opened WRL’s second office, and several others subsequently.)

The merger also provides “ownership” opportunities to WRL’s employees, as DLR is 100% employee-owned, said Davenport.

He and Westlake said the two firms have recognized each other as industry “leaders” for a while. About a year ago, they started talking about working together in some capacity, which evolved into more substantive discussions about merging.

“As we went to through the process it became readily apparent that within our firms is a clear cultural alignment,” said Davenport. Westlake said that the eight or nine people with equity positions at WRL were “excited” about a merger. And a month before the deal consummated, the two companies brought together their respective team leaders in what Davenport called “a cultural exchange,” which turned out better than expected. “There was chemistry beyond just business.”

Several of WRL’s executives assume key management roles in the transition. Phil LaBassi, FAIA, FACHA, a Principal and owner at WRL, will become Global Healthcare Leader and direct that practice for the combined firm. Matt Janiak, AIA, will lead the operations in the Cleveland and New York offices. Paul Siemborski, AIA, will lead business developing and marketing for the Northeast Region. And Glenn Johnson will direct the DLR Group|Westlake Reed Leskosky office in Charlotte.

Tom Gallagher, AIA, who was made an owner at WRL in February, will continue to direct the DLR Group|Westlake Reed Leskosky New York office and lead a studio specializing in lighting and museum design. Gallagher will also lead projects in Asia.

Davenport said his company is keeping its eyes open for new growth avenues that might include acquisitions, which “will continue to be a strategy we consider. Every so often, a firm like WRL comes along.”

 

Related Stories

| May 20, 2013

Jones Lang LaSalle: All U.S. real estate sectors to post gains in 2013—even retail

With healthier job growth numbers and construction volumes at near-historic lows, real estate experts at Jones Lang LaSalle see a rosy year for U.S. commercial construction.

| May 17, 2013

First look: HKS' multipurpose stadium for Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the Minnesota Vikings and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group have unveiled the design of the State’s new multi? purpose stadium in Minneapolis, a major milestone in getting the $975 million stadium built on time and on budget.

| May 17, 2013

40 Under 40 winners: Meet the architects

Of the up-and-coming AEC professionals to be named 40 Under 40 winners by the editors of Building Design+Construction, 18 make their living in the architecture profession.

| May 17, 2013

5 things AEC pros need to know about low-e glass

Low-emissivity glasses are critical to making today’s buildings brighter, more energy-efficient, and more sustainable. Here are five tips to help AEC professionals understand the differences among low-e glasses and their impact on building performance.

| May 17, 2013

University labs double as K-12 learning environments

Increasingly, college and university research buildings are doing double duty as homes for K-12 STEM programs. Here’s how to create facilities that captivate budding scientists while keeping faculty happy.

| May 17, 2013

LEED v4 has provision to reduce water use in cooling towers

The next version of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system will expand water-savings targets to appliances, cooling towers, commercial kitchen equipment, and other areas.

| May 16, 2013

Chicago unveils $1.1 billion plan for DePaul arena, Navy Pier upgrades

Hoping to send a loud message that Chicago is serious about luring tourism and entertainment spending, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has released details of two initiatives that have been developing for more than a year and that it says will mean $1.1 billion in investment in the McCormick Place and Navy Pier areas.

| May 16, 2013

Michael R. Bohn named Executive VP at Gilbane

Gilbane has promoted Michael R. Bohn to executive vice president. With over 28 years of service to the company and leadership roles on such high-profile projects as the University of Michigan Biomedical Science Building and the University of Chicago Medical Center, Bohn will now have responsibility for Gilbane’s New York and Midwest business units.

| May 15, 2013

Schneider Electric announces Global Xperience Efficiency Events for 2013

Schneider Electric’s Xperience Efficiency series will begin with events in the United States, China, Colombia, Brazil and Russia.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Construction Costs

Data center construction costs for 2024

Gordian’s data features more than 100 building models, including computer data centers. These localized models allow architects, engineers, and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows a five-year view of costs per square foot for one-story computer data centers. 


Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.



Healthcare Facilities

Watch on-demand: Key Trends in the Healthcare Facilities Market for 2024-2025

Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this on-demand webinar on key trends, innovations, and opportunities in the $65 billion U.S. healthcare buildings market. A panel of healthcare design and construction experts present their latest projects, trends, innovations, opportunities, and data/research on key healthcare facilities sub-sectors. A 2024-2025 U.S. healthcare facilities market outlook is also presented.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021