Last updated on May 21st, 2024 at 04:07 am
Orlando is a city known for its outdoor activities. Recreational parks and amusement parks are the city’s primary attractions. Universal Studios, the Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf, and Camp Jurassic are some of the parks that made the city of Orlando famous. Aside from these parks, the city is full of various high-rise buildings such as corporations, retail stores, and multi-family developments.
With the variety of attractions, the best commercial architects provide a variety of services for their clients. These firms should also offer a construction management plan, indicating the details of each phase and the schedule of the projects. This list below is a list of the top 15 commercial architects in Orlando, ranking each by the firm’s accolades, process, portfolio, and experience.
HuntonBrady Architects
333 South Garland Ave. Suite 1100, Orlando, FL 32801
HuntonBrady Architects began offering its services in 1947. The company is a design-oriented firm that emphasizes commitment to quality and control. Today, Steve Bellflower is the acting president of the firm. He joined the company in 1994 after graduating from the University of Florida and became one of the firm’s leading principals in 2006. As president, Bellflower has had the opportunity to be involved in each phase of its projects that come from a variety of different commercial sectors.
The picture below is an example of the team’s work, featuring the NASA Central Campus Headquarters Building. The H.Q. is a 200,000-square-foot tower with a vertical core element that connects the second phase of the property’s expansion. In addition, other significant details of the property include solar panels, launch pads, and a vehicle assembly building. Upon completion, the project received the 2019 IIDA Interior Design Excellence Award.
Baker Barrios Architects
189 S Orange Ave. Suite 1700, Orlando, FL 32801
Pictured below is the OneEleven building. The property has a size of 615,000 square feet, housing 164 residential units. Aside from its residential usage, the tower includes commercial offices and retail establishments. In addition, the building features amenities such as various lounges, a gym, and a 500-space parking garage. Upon completion, the project had an estimated price of $57 million. Projects like these fill the company’s portfolio. Since its establishment in 1993, Baker Barrios Architects have established themselves as a premier commercial architect in Orlando. Its goal for each client goes beyond the mere completion of a project: it emphasizes the formulation of relationships and partnerships with the client, community, and other professionals. The firm has an extensive list of accolades such as the ABC Excellence in Construction Awards 2020 and the DOP Golden Brick 2020 | Unionwest.
HKS Architects
225 E. Robinson St. #405, Orlando, FL 32801
Pictured below is the Orlando International Airport, featuring Automated People Mover (APM) and Intermodal Terminal Facility (ITF). Completed by HKS Architects, the property has a size of 475,000 square feet across three levels that cater to various transportation needs. In terms of the terminal’s structure, a combination of concrete columns on pilings and steel beams results in a timeless, modern appearance. Other notable details of the project include intercity high-speed rail service, a 2,400-car, six-level parking garage (expandable to 5,000 cars), and a passenger drop-off facility. Upon completion, the project gained recognition, winning the 2018 ENR Southeast Best/Airport Transit Project of the Year Award and the 2019 American Council of Engineering Company Florida Chapter, Engineering Excellence Awards, Grand Award. The HKS Architects team has the capability of handling other high-scale projects such as this one. Since its establishment in 1939, the company has grown to a team of 1,400 architects, interior designers, urban designers, scientists, artists, anthropologists, and more. Today, the firm provides its services internationally for numerous sectors.
Baskervill
300 S. Orange Ave. Suite 1125, Orlando, FL 32801
Baskervill is a veteran in the business, a multi-disciplinary design firm building beautiful structures since 1897. Since its inception, the firm has emphasized collaboration and creative design solutions such as interior designing, MEP engineering, and architectural solutions with the intention of meeting each client’s individual need. Principals Adrienne Scribner and Alan Davis currently lead the firm, aiming to maintain the same level of quality the company has always strived for.
The team completed the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort in Bonnet Creek, featured in this article. The project involves a 350,000-square-foot, multi-building situated around a ten-acre body of water. The building consists of 400 hotel rooms, 43,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, and 25,000 square feet of space for the spa and health club. The firm decided to use traditional Spanish-Mediterranean architecture throughout its interior and exterior, displaying its ability to implement unique design seamlessly. Baskervill offices go beyond Orlando and into Richmond and Washington DC as well.
Cuhaci & Peterson Architects
930 Woodcock Road Suite #101, Orlando, FL 32803
Pictured below is the Florida Mall Dining Pavilion. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects (C&P) carefully collaborated with the client to design and renovate the major interior concourses. The completed project resulted in updated designs, common areas, a play area, and dining spaces. The firm is currender under the leadership of Greg Simpson, who served as the Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Operations, and Principal prior to his current role. More than 18 years with the company landed him the position of CEO, and he has since retained the firm’s status as a top architectural firm in Orlando. Notable accomplishments the firm garnered include features from the Construction Executive Magazine and the Orlando Business Journal.
ELEVEN18 Architecture
1011 E. Colonial Dr. #307, Orlando, FL 32803
Kim Day, American Institute of Architects (AIA) accredited and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED) AP, Mark Adams, AIA, and Neke White founded ELEVEN18 Architecture in 2009. The trio has an extensive background in architecture and interior design. Their combined over 50 years of experience has assisted the firm in tackling a bevy of projects that require a wide variety of services.
A great example of their multi-disciplinary process is the picture below, featuring one of the company’s prominent clients, Starbucks. The firm has worked to develop Starbucks 2,500-square-foot locations throughout the state.
McCree General Contractors & Architects
500 E. Princeton St., Orlando, FL 32803
McCree General Contractors & Architects started in 1926. The company is currently in its fourth generation of family owners with a team of 70 employees in Orlando. Richard McCree, Jr. is the CEO who leads the firm and oversees the progress for its projects. Negotiation, sales, team building, construction, and project management are the significant components that Richard brings to the company. To this day, Richard applies the company’s motto, “Designed & Built Right,” to every project.
The featured project below is an example of the firm’s work. The Bob Dance Hyundai is an establishment with a traditional exterior and interior design. It maintains a straightforward floor plan with tiled flooring, wooden tables, and seats. Projects like these have garnered the company attention from the Construction Executive Magazine, the Concept to Keys Magazine, and the Orlando Business Journal.
L2 Studios, Inc.
109 E. Church St. Suite 150, Orlando, FL 32801
Pictured below is The Grove Resort and Spa, a project with 2,250,000 square feet and seven stories. Inside the establishment, the resort has 857 guest rooms, restaurants, bars, meeting rooms, three parking garages, two pool amenities, and some cafes. L2 Studios, Inc. created an original masterplan for this project along with the exterior architectural design. The result was this beautiful structure, happy clients, and happy spa customers.
Under the leadership of Tim Lemons, Debra Lemons, & Richard Wilson, L2 Studios, Inc. has been providing excellent services to high-scale clients such as these. Since its inception in 1992, the firm has remained atop Orlando’s top companies, having worked for clients such as Marriott, Hyatt Place, Riviera Point, and Starbucks. The firm’s notable accolades include winning the 2020 TopID award and garnering attention from the NEWH Magazine, the Hotel Business Magazine, and the Caribbean Journal.
Butler Moore Architects
Kress Building Suite 201, 15 West Church St., Orlando, FL 32801
Richard Guy Butler & Carlos Ontiver are the current leaders of Butler Moore Architects. The pair established the firm in 1978 and has focused on themed architecture, interior design, and master planning. The firm’s projects involve numerous luxury and golf resorts but have expanded to commercial, retail, entertainment, and multi-family developments. Pictured below is one of the commercial projects the company tackled. The project is the Capital Plaza in Orlando, next to Lake Eola. Various office spaces comprise the building’s interior, with numerous tenants occupying the office spaces. Apart from the refined interior, its environment plays a significant role in providing workers a bright atmosphere that greatly enhances the workplace. Projects like this have garnered the firm awards like the ABC Eagle Award and recognition from different organizations.
C4 Architecture
135 W. Central Blvd. Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32801
Clark Stranahan founded the firm in 2005. C4 Architecture is a firm that offers services such as master planning, interior design, and complete office and retail architectural services. Its process goes beyond the completion of the project and involves fostering partnerships with professionals and clients. This aids the firm long-term by establishing a strong track record of completed projects and partnerships with other firms. The picture below is one of the firm’s notable projects. C4 Architecture completed the three-story Disney Vacation Club for Duke Realty in Florida. The use of tilt-up concrete panels, EIFS, and metalwork resulted in the art-deco design that Disney was looking for. Projects like this have garnered the attention of the Orlando Business Journal and Tunneling Online.
Nasrallah Architectural Group
3920 Edgewater Dr. Suite 101, Orlando, FL 32804
Mark Nasrallah is the CEO of the company. The firm has been in the industry for over three decades and has accumulated a diverse list of clients whose projects are showcased in its portfolio. The firm aims to create long-term spaces built to last while maintaining optimal performance. The picture below is an example of the firm’s work. Featuring the Ember project, the company offered a traditional design for the exterior and interior. Classic furnishing, brick walls, and a wooden ceiling comprise a vintage atmosphere. With the floor plan, the firm provided ample indoor and outdoor dining spaces, ensuring that the space was both functional and in style.
JWB Architects
2295 S. Hiawassee Rd. Suite 304, Orlando, FL 32835
John Burt is the owner of JWB Architects. Since the firm’s inception in 2004, the firm has catered to various commercial and residential sectors. Today, its goal is to expand its studio and offer services to luxury hotels, restaurants, and businesses in the hospitality sector. Aside from private establishments and institutions, the firm aims to provide its services to public sectors such as schools, municipalities, town halls, and other complexes. As a young firm, the company continues to explore better methodologies that will assist its clients in a more efficient manner. However, maintaining effective designs for various clients has been a foundation for the company’s success. A balance between the two results in consistency and quality in all of its projects thus far. The project below displays the firm’s touch with its modern designs, bright lights, and ample outdoor space.
Tom Bush Architect
2452 Stoneview Rd., Orlando, FL 32806
Pictured below is the Seminole Harley-Davidson project. The project involved a 64,000 square foot showroom, sales offices, and service areas. The company offered complete A/E services and design solutions to enhance the overall appeal. In 2014, the owner of Harley Davidson Seminole County hired the company to work on a $1.5 million addition project to his home in Florida, which strengthened the relationship between the two parties. The owner of the firm Tom Bush has handled numerous projects like the one below. Upon graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1995, he established his practice in 2001. Today, he continues to offer his services to a broad range of sectors ranging from medical facilities, offices, recreational venues, and multi-family apartments. In addition, Bush provides renovation and maintenance services for older facilities and existing buildings.
