Orlando, Fla.-based Baker Barrios Architects, an award-winning, multi-disciplinary architecture and urban planning firm, announces the opening of its Chicago office, located on Wacker Drive in the city’s Loop. This is the fourth office for the firm, joining practice sites in Orlando, Fla.; Tampa, Fla.; and Nashville, Tenn. Brad Lutz has been hired to oversee the new office as managing principal and multifamily/residential practice leader.
“Over the past decade, a number of Chicago- and Midwest-based developers have expanded into the Southeast, where we’ve been one of the go-to architectural firms for decades,” said Tim Baker, AIA, founding partner and CEO of Baker Barrios. “Recently, we’ve also seen the inverse of that trend, with developers who have long been active in the Southeast pushing north and west, expanding with a national focus. So, it made sense for us to join them and establish a physical presence in Chicago with a full-service practice site.
“Chicago is not only the hub of the Midwest, but it is also home to world-class architectural practices and, with our growing roster of clients in the region, we’re proud to be expanding into this market with someone like Brad at the helm,” Baker added.
Prior to joining Baker Barrios, Lutz spent 15 years with Humphreys & Partners Architects, most recently serving as its regional director in Chicago. His career has included direct involvement in the development of more than $1 billion in real estate assets across the Midwest and Southeast.
“The Baker Barrios portfolio exemplifies the philosophy that architects and planners can have a lasting, positive impact on the communities and people they serve,” said Lutz. “This purpose-driven approach, as well as the firm’s focus on future growth, drew me to this incredible opportunity, and it has been particularly satisfying to be joined by so many other like-minded professionals as we grow the Chicago office.”
The Baker Barrios portfolio includes projects in a range of sectors including multifamily, mixed-use, healthcare, office/industrial, hotel/hospitality, entertainment and education. Recent projects include a 200,000-square-foot office for online entertainment creator EA in Orlando, Fla., the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Clearwater, Fla., and the 16-story luxury residential building Society Nashville in Nashville, Tenn., along with several mid- and high-rise mixed-use towers throughout the Southeast.
“Baker Barrios began with just five team members and a mission to put people and place at the core of our projects and serve the communities in which we were building,” said Baker. “Now, nearly 30 years later, with a team of 150 professionals skilled in architecture, interior design, landscape design and urban planning, we’re bringing that approach to projects in multiple markets.”
For more information on Baker Barrios’ services and to view current and past projects, visit www.bakerbarrios.com.
About Baker Barrios Architects:
Baker Barrios Architects was established in 1993, founded on the belief in creative excellence, innovative solutions and long-term relationships. The firm tells its clients’ stories through placemaking and creative design. Baker Barrios maintains a high level of involvement through a project’s completion to ensure the owner’s objectives are met and the integrity of design is maintained even after occupancy. The staff of highly trained professionals is experienced in a variety of assignments for developers, corporations, health care providers, religious organizations, state and local agencies, and colleges and universities, providing full-service planning, architecture, interior design and landscape architecture services.
