Stantec to buy Chicago architecture and design firm VOA
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
Construction firm continues to grow its design segment, U.S. footprint
Chicago’s Navy Pier. One of the high-profile projects VOA has designed. PHOTO: Banpei, via Wikimedia Commons
EDMONTON—Canadian engineering and construction firm Stantec Inc. is adding to its U.S. portfolio.
The company has announced it will buy Chicago-based architecture and planning firm VOA Associates Inc. for an undisclosed amount. The 280-person building design company has clients across the commercial, healthcare, government and entertainment sectors, as well as five offices throughout the U.S.
“VOA strengthens our collective ability to grow our building practice in US markets,” Bob Gomes, Stantec’s president and CEO, said. “Their talented staff has produced an impressive portfolio of workplace, healing, leisure, learning, civic, and entertainment venues.”
Founded in Chicago in 1969, VOA has designed a number of high-profile Windy City projects, including the 1,150,000 square-foot waterfront reconstruction of Navy Pier—one of the Midwest city’s signature landmarks. The Virgin Hotel in New York City, scheduled to open in 2018 and NASA’s 661,000 square-foot Washington DC headquarters are two other significant projects the firm has designed, among many others in the U.S. and abroad.
Stantec said the acquisition is expected to close in late March 2016.
