DLR Group is marking its territory in the luxury design sphere as it acquires the esteemed San Francisco-based BraytonHughes Design Studios. The interior design and architectural firm is known for its opulent work with hospitality giants such as Montage Resorts & Hotels and Four Seasons. Now they're slotting into DLR Group's expanding portfolio. DLR Group Board Chair Griff Davenport, FAIA, in a statement touted the merger, saying "BraytonHughes adds a depth of award-winning, luxury interiors expertise that elevates our Hospitality studio and our global Interiors practice," DLR Group reported.
With this move, BraytonHughes is set to bring a cache of high-end clients and diverse projects into the DLR fold while also gaining the perks of joining an employee-owned conglomerate. Janea Nakagawa, a principal at BraytonHughes, underscored the benefits of the acquisition, stating, "This ensures the design legacy of BraytonHughes. DLR Group is 100% employee-owned, which became incredibly attractive as we went through this process." Nakagawa hinted at the expanded horizons for their staff, suggesting a future ripe with financial benefits and diverse design opportunities.
BraytonHughes will soon call DLR Group’s San Francisco office home as they prepare for their spring relocation. This merger adds esteemed interior designers such as Nakagawa, Rachel Fischbach, and Kiko Singh to the team, alongside architects Joel Villalon and Towan Kim, who also step up as principals within DLR Group. Concerning the acquisition, BraytonHughes Principal Joel Villalon, AIA, IIDA, highlighted the symbiotic relationship emerging from the deal. "As part of DLR Group, we can now offer a broader range of services to clients and provide our designers with more diverse projects," DLR Group conveyed.
The deal marks a significant expansion for DLR Group in the Bay Area. Following close on the heels of RossDrulisCusenbery's earlier January tie-up with the design firm, DLR Group's San Francisco office numbers are now bolstered to a robust 50 design professionals, with an additional 15 coming from the Sonoma-based RDC. Such strategic maneuvers are perceived as a concerted effort by DLR Group to strengthen its high-end architectural and interior design position, spanning a global array of elite clientele and luxury projects.
