Butler, Rosenbury & Partners plans to open Phoenix office

Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. is sending architect and principal Doug Jackson, vice president of business-to-business development, to Phoenix to open an office by year’s end.

Shareholders in the firm, led by CEO Geoffrey Butler, decided several years ago that they wanted to open offices in the Sun Belt. One mammoth project in the desert finally opened the window of opportunity.

BRP designed the 12-story, 320-room Marriott Renaissance Hotel and spa in Glendale, Ariz., which is slated for completion late this year. The John Q. Hammons Hotels Inc. project may be big, but its location is what’s really important. It’s next door to the new $450 million Arizona Cardinals Stadium.

Jackson called the stadium and its surrounding development an “icon” that has allowed BRP to quickly establish a foothold in the growing hospitality market of the Southwest.

“It’s pretty nice to move into a community and point to a landmark and say, ‘Yeah, we’re doing that one,’” added Executive Vice President and architect Tim Rosenbury.

Fox Sports will broadcast coverage of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and the 2008 Super Bowl from a media center located in the Marriott Renaissance Hotel, Jackson said.

BRP has a 21-year history with Hammons Hotels and a 15-year history with Bass Pro Shops, which doesn’t have a store yet in Arizona. Those high-profile clients have allowed BRP to design projects away from Springfield.

“We’re fortunate to be able to drop some client names on people that right now are really hot in their industries,” Rosenbury said. “(Hammons) is a legend locally, but he is also a legend in his industry.”

BRP will likely open additional satellite offices in the next five to 10 years, though no immediate plans are in place.

Jackson has lived in Springfield for 39 years and has been a partner at BRP for 17 years, so he was hesitant to leave the Midwest. It took him two days to tell his wife about the opportunity.

There are no immediate plans for additional staff in Phoenix, though BRP will eventually move people from Springfield when it is feasible. The cost of the expansion was not disclosed.

BRP doesn’t have any Phoenix clients yet, so Jackson will spend his first several months there networking. Jana Letterman, business development director, will spearhead marketing efforts in Phoenix.

Jackson said the firm hasn’t set targets for their desired number of clients or projects in Phoenix yet.

Growth from within

The expansion is also meant to increase promotion opportunities within the firm. Architect Jeffery Smith, a 2006 Springfield Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, will ascend to Jackson’s post as head of business-to-business architecture.

Jackson’s departure will also affect clients across Springfield.

Brad Toft, CEO of the Ozarks Regional YMCA, has worked with Jackson on projects in Springfield, Bolivar, Hollister and Monett over the last three years.

“We’re certainly going to miss Doug, because he did really develop personal relationships with many of our folks,” Toft said. “They have some big shoes to fill, but I am confident that Butler, Rosenbury (& Partners) will continue their excellent service to us.”

Rosenbury insisted Springfield wouldn’t get neglected because of the Phoenix expansion.

“We’re really excited about the future of the Phoenix operation, but we’re also excited about the future of what we’re doing here in Springfield,” he said.

Projects currently in design include Branson Hills mixed-use development, Lodge of the Four Seasons’ renovation and addition, several Bass Pro Shops locations nationwide, Weller and Wanda Gray elementary school renovations and additions, and the Taney County Courthouse. BRP-designed projects under construction include The Gillioz Theater, Sight & Sound Theater in Branson, Oasis Inn, Liberty Bank’s West Bypass branch and technology center, four Ozarks Regional YMCA locations and King’s Way United Methodist Church.[[In-content Ad]]