Local Architecture Firm Heightening Presence in Seattle Area

PORTLAND, OR-Sienna Architecture Co.’s commitment to the Puget Sound market is paying off, in jobs and architects. The urban design firm, based here, has been servicing Seattle-area companies for 25 years now. Indeed, the firm’s work in Washington has at times outstripped its Oregon work. It wasn’t until nine months ago, however, that CEO Gary Reddick and company decided to not only have a Downtown company apartment, but also open a small, two-person office in the nearby Maritime Building.

It’s paying off. With several new urban design wins in hand, Sienna last week brought on four well-known architects–three of them as principals–to grow its Seattle-area business even more. Joining the firm are Steve Harmon, Darryl Custer and Kirk Callison, all of whom previously held senior and principal-level positions with Mulvaney/G2.

Harmon brings 20 years experience in retail, office, commercial and mixed-use design to Sienna. Custer has 11 years of experience and specializes in high-end residential, commercial office, corporate headquarters, high-tech facilities, interior design, space planning and tenant improvement management. Callison brings 10 years of experience in commercial, retail, multi-family housing, master planning, and programming to the team.

Until the new Seattle crew has a chance to generate some of their own work, Sienna’s new Seattle team will be assisting on several new projects brought in by Reddick and other Portland-based Sienna principals, including:

–A Queen Anne Mixed-Use Development. With Canadian developer Don Milliken, Sienna is designing a new mixed-use development on First Avenue between Mercer and Republican streets. Plans call for a new 35,000-sf grocery and 3,900-sf retail space in addition to 50 condominiums that will top the new grocery store. The project is scheduled to begin early next year.

–A Downtown Seattle hotel, retail, housing project. With the name of the project yet to be determined, Sienna was selected by Portland-based developer Paul Brenneke to design this mixed-use project along with the Los Angeles office of RTKL. The new half-block development, located on Pine Street at Second Avenue, will feature a 150-room five-star hotel, 19 high-end condominiums and two-floors of retail.

–A Seattle Transit Mixed-Use Development Study. The city of Seattle hired Sienna to analyze light rail stations as possible locations for mixed-use developments.

–A Downtown Kirkland Development Plan. Sienna was selected by Kirkland, Wash. to serve on the city’s design team to develop a strategic downtown development plan.

Reddick tells GlobeSt he isn’t really surprised by his company’s success, just delighted to be doing what he believes in. “My sense is there is a lot of very good work here, and a high level of interest by owners and clients that it be about quality and an urban pulse and people wanting to live and work and play in the same area,” says Reddick. “It plays into our strengths, our branding.”

Indeed, says Reddick, he’s had to hold back a little on taking on new work. “There’s six or seven of (in Seattle) us now,” he says. “I know I could make it 15-to-20 with the work that’s out there….if I knew where the (architects) would come from.”