KTGY, an award-winning design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments and urban design, announced that it has acquired GDA Architects, a Dallas-based architectural firm specializing in high rise residential, hospitality and industrial design. The unification of the firms will bolster KTGY's presence in Texas and expand the firms' high rise portfolio, while giving GDA access to a national network of design experts. This acquisition continues the momentum of KTGY's growth trajectory.
"The acquisition of GDA was a natural fit and reinforces our promise of being - where design lives - from single family to high rise," said Tricia Esser, CEO, KTGY. "GDA's commitment to listening and partnering with their clients to deliver groundbreaking design is what first drew us to them. We were looking for a firm in Texas that shared our values and passion for design, we found that with GDA."
For over four decades, GDA has shaped the Texas skyline and transformed people's experiences. Founded in 1984 by Charles Gromatzky, the firm has built a reputation as a trusted partner, respected for their passion for exploration as well as their attention to aesthetics and environmental impact. Their impressive portfolio includes Museum Tower in Dallas, Confluence in Denver and Alexan Waterloo in Austin.
"We are thrilled to unite with KTGY," said Charles Gromatzky, Founder and Managing Partner at GDA. "Our combined high rise expertise, along with KTGY's interior designers and branding professionals, will create new opportunities to offer fully integrated work for our clients in Texas and beyond."
![Pictured: Tricia Esser, CEO, KTGY, and Charles Gromatzky, Founder, GDA Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-08-28%20at%209.29.24%E2%80%AFAM.png)
Since opening their doors three decades ago, KTGY has been committed to innovative, design-driven solutions that elevate the role of built spaces in people's lives. What started as a California-based residential architecture practice, today has grown into a multidisciplinary firm representing a collective of architects, designers, branding professionals and planners - all guided by a mission to bring innovative design to all people and places. From single family communities to luxury hotels, KTGY's experts iterate with each design, bringing excitement and a fresh perspective to every opportunity, seeking insights that have helped them hone their process and create thriving environments.
The new Dallas Studio will be led by Principals, Glen Morgenweck and Ray Tse and Associate Principal Marc Sullivan. Glen, Ray and Marc will be supported by Charles Gromatzky, Principal, who will assist with the integration of the studio. Additionally, Charles will continue his business development efforts and begin to introduce GDA's clients to the KTGY team. Together, the leaders are committed to continue to partner with their clients and to discover the new possibilities ahead.
With this acquisition, KTGY will now have seven office locations coast to coast (Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland and Washington, D.C.) and 400 team members.
"We are committed to supporting Glen, Ray and Marc during the integration process to ensure success," said Esser, "and are excited about the opportunities ahead for not only our Dallas office but all offices to collaborate. By leveraging our diverse specialties, we elevate how we envision spaces for our clients and truly transform people's experiences."
Related Stories
Sponsored | Building Enclosure Systems | May 16, 2023
4 steps to a better building enclosure
Dividing the outside environment from the interior, the building enclosure is one of the most important parts of the structure. The enclosure not only defines the building’s aesthetic, but also protects occupants from the elements and facilitates a comfortable, controlled climate. With dozens of components comprising the exterior assemblies, from foundation to cladding to roof, figuring out which concerns to address first can be daunting.
Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2023
Legislators aim to make office-to-housing conversions easier
Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.cSuch projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.
Headquarters | May 16, 2023
Workplace HQ for party clothing company Shinesty celebrates its bold, whimsical products
The new Denver headquarters for Shinesty, a party clothing company, was designed to match the brand’s fun image with an iconic array of colors, textures, and prints curated by the design agency, Maximalist. Shinesty’s mission, to challenge the world to live more freely and “take itself less seriously,” is embodied throughout the office interior.
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
Life of an Architect Podcast | May 15, 2023
Life of an Architect Podcast Ep. 125: What Makes a Great Employee?
How do you define a great employee? The answer is most likely dependent on who is attempting to respond: the employee or the employer. Life of an Architect's Bob Borson, FAIA, and Andrew Hawkins, AIA, talk about the traits and characteristics of great employees.
K-12 Schools | May 12, 2023
In Virginia, a new high school building helps reimagine the experience for 1,600 students
In Virginia, the City of Alexandria recently celebrated the topping out of a new building for Alexandria City High School. When complete in 2025, the high-performance structure will accommodate 1,600 students.
University Buildings | May 11, 2023
New ‘bold and twisting’ building consolidates School of Continuing Studies at York University
The design of a new building that consolidates York University’s School of Continuing Studies into one location is a new architectural landmark at the Toronto school’s Keele Campus. “The design is emblematic of the school’s identity and culture, which is centered around accelerated professional growth in the face of a continuously evolving labor market,” according to a news release from Perkins&Will.
Sustainability | May 11, 2023
Let's build toward a circular economy
Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.
Hotel Facilities | May 9, 2023
A new camping destination near Utah’s Zion National Park offers a variety of all-season lodgings and amenities
Outdoor lodging brand AutoCamp has opened a new camping destination near Utah’s Zion National Park. A 16-acre property, AutoCamp Zion is located between the Virgin River and the desert of Southern Utah.
Headquarters | May 9, 2023
New Wells Fargo development in Texas will be bank’s first net-positive campus
A new Wells Fargo development in the Dallas metroplex will be the national bank’s first net-positive campus, expected to generate more energy than it uses. The 850,000-sf project on 22 acres will generate power from solar panels and provide electric vehicle charging stations.