Retail companies and Real Estate Developers partner with experienced Architectural firms to bring their concepts and dreams to life.
Today we talk about Kenneth Park Architects and we sit down with the Director of Business Development Amie Bentley to learn more about the Company.
Industry: Retail
Location: New York City & Los Angeles
Completed Projects: over 4,500
Employees: 60
4URSPACE Member since: 2015
Tell us about your company. What kind of product or service do you provide?
Founded in 1989, Kenneth Park Architects is a 60-person, full service architecture firm that specializes in retail, commercial and mixed-use development. We are led by Kenneth Park, AIA, Founding Principal, Robert Yuricic, RA, a Principal in the NYC office and Greg Hong, AIA, a Principal in the LA office. In 2009, we celebrated twenty years in the business and we’re currently just a few years shy of our 30th anniversary.
We specialize in retail, commercial and mixed-use architecture for retailers and developers alike; and provide services on a national, and occasionally, an international level. We’ve designed innovative brand concepts and prototype designs for some of the most exciting names in fashion, completed national and international roll-outs numbering in the hundreds, and provided our commercial and mixed-use expertise on some of the boldest developments in the country. With 28 years of experience in architecture, planning, interior design, and project management we continue to create places, spaces, and experiences that are inviting, memorable, and worth revisiting.
How many employees does your company currently have? Do you have offices in different States?
We currently have approximately 60 employees across two offices. In 2009, we established a second office in Los Angeles to better serve our West Coast clientele and to specialize in project management.
H&M – World Trade Center, New York, NY
What inspired the business and where is your company today?
KPA was established out of a desire to build and grow an independent firm that provided the highest level of service–always with a personal touch–to our clients. Today, we are a mid-sized firm, recognized in the industry, with an expanding network of clients and increasingly varied services. We excel in the retail and commercial sector, which forms the core of our business, while continuing to steadily diversify our portfolio. We look forward to the many exciting opportunities in the years ahead!
In which geographic area did you complete the majority of your projects?
We complete the majority of our projects in major urban centers throughout the United States. While we’re licensed in 44 US States and Washington DC, not to mention 4 Provinces in Canada, our projects tend to cluster around New York City, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Miami, Philadelphia and Chicago. Of course, our projects are also heavily represented in major shopping centers and mixed use retail developments.
Is your company specialized in completing projects in a specific industry, e.g. Food & Beverage?
Yes, we specialize in interior design and architecture for retail clients, though we also have a lot of experience with commercial buildings and mixed use developments. In terms of retail, we partner with clients ranging from haute couture fashion houses with just a handful of flagships to fast-fashion giants with locations throughout the world.
Simone Rocha – 71 Wooster St New York, NY
Tell us about one specific project you worked on and which challenges you solved?
At 25,000 SF, the H&M flagship in NYC’s Financial District is H&M’s twelfth location in New York City and features an array of collections spanning two floors. Part of the monumental Westfield World Trade Center, the FiDi location is the Swedish retailer’s first brick and mortar store to pursue LEED certification. The flagship uses recycled materials and features Energy Star equipment and LED lighting. In addition, the store is powered by renewable sources and as such, uses less energy than a conventional office building. Beyond LEED design and specification, the main challenge of the project was navigating and adhering to the constraints of the site and various stakeholder restrictions. KPA was retained as Executive Architect on this project and has partnered with H&M on approximately 35 locations to date, including several flagships such as the Herald Square location and the future Hudson Yards and Empire Outlet locations
Which milestones are you planning to achieve in the next 12 months?
In the next 12 months, we plan to continuously innovate our design and architectural process and streamline our business operations, while continuing to provide a high level of service for our clients. We will also focus on expanding key sectors of our portfolio while continuing to emphasis our commitment to sustainability.
DAVID YURMAN – King Of Prussia Mall
What do you like most about 4URSPACE?
We love how 4URSPACE brings together all of the various consultants and stakeholders on a specific project. While this is obviously very helpful for clients, it’s also a great resource for us, as Architects.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Matchmaker for Retail Vendors
4URSPACE connects retail vendors and other professionals providing assistance to the retail industry to the retailers who need their services.
Click HERE to Contact Us