Stantec to Purchase Chicago-Based VOA
Building design firm and Interior Design Giant Stantec has announced intentions to purchase fellow design Giant firm VOA Associates Incorporated. The merger will create a Chicago-based office of almost 200 people devoted to the firm’s business design practice—one of the largest in the city.
“Joining Stantec provides our employees and clients with the benefits and opportunities of being a top ten global design firm,” says VOA CEO Michael Toolis, AIA, LEEP AP. “The merger provides us access to their expansive portfolio, providing considerable depth to each of our current markets, and allows us to participate in markets and building types we aspire to.”
VOA has worked in Chicago for almost four decades, with notable projects including the reconstruction of Navy Pier and Roosevelt University’s “vertical campus” Wabash Building.
Founded in 1954, Stantec now has offices in more than 250 locations around the world. “Our practices and geographic locations complement each other exceedingly well,” Toolis says. “We believe this merging of talents will offer a very exciting future for our people and our clients while helping us to achieve our vision of best design firm.”
In a statement, Stantec announces the acquisition is expected to close this March.
Shown in photo: The entrance lobby of VOA’s North Park University Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life.