Hamilton Anderson continues growth, supports Detroit revitalization

Detroit — Hamilton Anderson and Associates (HAA), a multi-disciplinary Detroit design firm, has grown its headcount by 44 percent in the past year. The growth is a result of 51 new projects for the firm, most notably in the company’s own neighborhood – Paradise Valley.

To build upon the talent and diversity at HAA, the company recently attracted professionals from out of state to join the team. Top architects and designers from cities such as New York and Chicago have joined HAA and will apply their skills and experience from other cities to the many projects within the City of Detroit. Currently, nearly one-third of HAA employees reside in city.

The diverse group of design professionals at the firm continues to play a role in the revitalization of Detroit. Since its start, the firm’s staff has completed more than 800 projects in Detroit. With the recent announcement of Paradise Valley plans, the firm can lay claim to their own property ownership in the city. The projects and employment additions are part of the company’s aggressive expansion over the past few years.

“I am proud of our tremendously talented staff and the exciting projects we have in the works,” said HAA Founder and Principal Rainy Hamilton Jr., FAIA, NOMA. “We are continuing to grow the firm and with the stars perfectly aligned for the city of Detroit right now, opportunities are endless. We have a staff of more than 70 and I know we will continue to grow in the near future.”

HAA is involved with many of Detroit’s most well-known projects including the construction and development of the new Detroit Events Center (DEC), otherwise known as the Little Caesars Arena. HAA is serving as the associate architect for the new 650,000 square foot arena and future home to the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings. Additionally, HAA was selected as the designer and architect of record in the planning and construction of the center’s 1,150 spot parking deck.

Other top current projects include the firm’s partnership with Wayne State University and Corvias in the planning and design of the Anthony Wayne Drive Apartments. The projects with Wayne State include the addition of 842 beds of student housing, the design of the new Hilberry Theatre and the transformation process of the historic Thompson home from an academic facility for classes to a residential hall for student housing.

Additionally, HAA is part of the $50 million investment in the redevelopment of the historic Paradise Valley neighborhood. The neighborhood is historically known for its jazz scene and as an entertainment district for African-American owned businesses.

The firm consists of design professionals in all divisions of architecture with past projects in academic, commercial, civic, hospitality, recreation, housing and healthcare settings. HAA exercises award-winning prowess in capabilities such as building rehabilitation, historic preservation, land use studies, urban design, landscape architecture and space planning.

Most recently, the firm has been recognized by the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) for projects in the redevelopment of Detroit. Accolades include the 2016 CNU Grand Prize for their work on renovations in Detroit’s Brush Park as well as the 2016 CNU Merit Award for their work on Orleans Landing Development which is a $65 million, 270-apartment complex on Atwater Street along the Detroit River.

A full list of HAA projects and how they have played a role in the revitalization of Detroit is available at www.hamilton-anderson.com/haa-projects.html.