HOK to acquire 360 Architecture

HOK announced it has agreed to acquire the award-winning design firm 360 Architecture, re-establishing HOK as a global leader in sports and entertainment facility design and giving the firm a significant new presence in Kansas City.

360 Architecture is one of the world’s leading designers of stadiums, ballparks, arenas, recreation and wellness centers, and mixed-use entertainment districts. The 180-plus-person firm, which also specializes in the design of corporate and commercial office buildings, government and civic facilities, and restaurants, was founded in Kansas City in 2004 through a merger of CDFM2 Architecture Inc. and Heinlein Schrock Stearns. The firm also has offices in San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio.

“As a global design leader, it’s important for HOK to offer clients design excellence in sports architecture,” said Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA, HOK chairman and CEO. “360 Architecture has created several of the world’s most innovative professional and collegiate sports facilities and their design-focused culture and values align with ours. Together, we will design the next generation of sports and entertainment facilities while serving all types of clients as one of Kansas City’s largest design firms.”

After starting HOK Sport in 1983, HOK became a pioneer in redefining sports facilities and the fan experience. HOK spun off its sports practice in 2008. Expected to be finalized by the end of October, the acquisition of 360 Architecture will provide immediate benefits to both firms’ clients worldwide as HOK re-enters the sports and entertainment market.

“Joining HOK enables us to take advantage of an exceptionally strong global platform and to expand our sports facility design practice while offering our clients additional expertise in other markets,” said Brad Schrock, AIA, senior principal at 360 Architecture. “This also brings HOK, a global design leader in many building types, into the heart of Kansas City. We expect continued long-term growth.”

360 Architecture works with leading professional sports franchises and civic organizations across North America. The firm is participating on design teams for the renovation of Sun Life Stadium for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins; the Rogers Place arena for the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton, Alberta; the AT&T Center renovation for the National Basketball Association’s San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Texas; the design of Cisco Field, a proposed new ballpark for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics in San Jose, Calif.; and a new stadium for the Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes.

In the higher education sector, 360 Architecture is playing a major role in the design of Notre Dame University’s Campus Crossroads project in South Bend, Ind., and the Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center at the University of Portland. The firm recently completed the design of recreation and wellness centers at Auburn University’s main campus in Auburn and at its campus in Montgomery, Ala. In addition, 360 Architecture is involved in creating athletic facility master plans for the University of Missouri and the University of North Carolina.

“360 Architecture is a progressive design firm that has helped lead the transformation of sports architecture,” said HOK President Bill Hellmuth, AIA. “These facilities have evolved into true destinations that are integrated into the urban fabric and are key components of vibrant, healthy cities.”

The new HOK sports and entertainment practice will draw on the firm’s expertise in markets including hospitality, retail, residential, transportation, education, civic and cultural, convention center and corporate environments to provide clients highly integrated solutions and create the best possible venues, cities and regions.

“Our shared vision of collaborating across specialties and markets will strengthen the approach that has been so important to our clients’ success,” added Tom Waggoner, AIA, senior principal at 360 Architecture. “Joining HOK also gives our dedicated, talented employees even more opportunities for growth, education and diversity in their careers. HOK is a great fit for our clients, our people and the Kansas City area.”

Along with Schrock and Waggoner, 360 Architecture senior principals who will join HOK include George Heinlein, AIA, William Johnson, AIA, Tracy Stearns and Chris Trainer.

Other notable sports projects in which 360 Architecture has played a significant role include MetLife Stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J.; Basrah Sports City in Iraq, which includes a 65,000-seat stadium; Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio; the American Airlines Arena in Miami; and the renovations of the University of Washington Husky Stadium in Seattle and Southern Methodist University’s Moody Coliseum in Dallas.

Additional prominent 360 Architecture projects include new Class A office space for Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio; law firm Polsinelli’s headquarters in Kansas City; AMC Theatre Support Center in Leawood, Kan.; H&R Block’s World Headquarters in Kansas City; and the eight-block, mixed-use Kansas City Power and Light District.

HOK’s addition of 360 Architecture expands on the firm’s recent growth. In January 2014, John Rhodes, who collaborated on the design of the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Master Plan with HOK, joined HOK as a director of sports and entertainment architecture in London. In December 2013, architecture and interior design firm BBG-BBGM’s New York and Shanghai employees joined HOK to elevate the firm’s hospitality practice.