Market: Community Environments

Designing Buildings With Conversion in Mind

MG2 Principal Jooyeol Oh spoke with Diana Mosher from the Commercial Property Executive about building conversions.

“When I think about flexible design, the word that comes to me is ‘resilience,'” said Jooyeol Oh in the piece. He continued, “Flexible design is a challenge, but it’s a challenge that we always think about.”

MG2’s 6 Corners Lofts project, a 1938 Sears building adapted into an innovative mixed-use community, is an example of that flexible design brought into practice. Original elements, like flared capital columns and terrazzo flooring, were preserved while the building was updated to bring modern amenities to residents.

Read more in Commercial Property Executive

MG2 Named #2 in Puget Sound Business Journal’s Largest Architecture Firms List

MG2 has been named the #2 firm in Puget Sound Business Journal’s list of the Largest Architecture Firms in the Seattle Area.

Read more in Puget Sound Business Journal

From Retail to Residential: The Transformation of a Chicago Sears Store

MG2 Principal and design lead of 6 Corners Lofts Jooyeol Oh spoke with Multi-Housing News Associate Editor Madalina Pojoga about the adaptive-reuse process at the Sears building and the impact 6 Corners Lofts will have on the city’s Portage Park area.

“The Six Corners Shopping District has a long history as a popular and successful neighborhood shopping and entertainment destination serving the community. Preserving the character of one of its most beloved landmarks was a crucial consideration for us.

“There were three main design elements we wanted to highlight: the vernacular architecture of the surrounding brick buildings, the juxtaposition of old and new, and a celebration of the Art Deco style.”

Read more in Multi-Housing News

Woods Restaurant Named Honorable Mention in VMSD’s Retail Renovation Competition

We’re excited to see Woods Restaurant named an honorable mention in VMSD’s Retail Renovation Competition.

Woods Restaurant on Mackinac Island has been a beloved destination for guests and visitors for many years. The restaurant recently partnered with MG2 to renovate and refresh its interiors while maintaining the classic experience visitors know and love.

Read more at VMSD

Energized Growth: Russ Hazzard

Hear from Russ Hazzard, President of MG2, in his Q&A with The Zweig Letter Correspondent, Liisa Andreassen.

“Hazzard first joined MG2 in 1993. He says that they’re always looking to grow their shareholder base and to bring younger contributors into the fold – people who want to grow the company and take over when the old guard retires.

“‘It will be exciting to watch as the next generation leads the firm and the industry into the future,’ he says.” Find the full interview in the link here:

Read more in The Zweig Letter

Room to Grow: Finding Space

MG2 Senior Interior Designer Natalie Hyde spoke with Amber Katz from The Seattle Times on finding extra space in your home.

“‘There are so many beautiful decorative screens in the market that can provide privacy and separation while feeling like a piece of furniture.’ A screen can be a great backdrop to other pieces of furniture, she adds.”

Read more in The Seattle Times

MG2 Listed in Building Design+Construction’s Top 200 Architecture Firms for 2024

MG2 ranked among the top 20 in Building Design+Construction Media’s recently released Top 200 Architecture Firms for 2024.

Read more in Building Design + Construction

Hotel of the Week: Seattle’s Restored Fairmont Olympic Hotel Celebrates 100th Anniversary

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle

 A recent refresh by architecture firm MG2 and Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violán brought this historic hotel back to its glory days

This year officially marks the 100th anniversary of the historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel, favorably situated on University Street in Seattle’s lively downtown area. Ask any local, and they’ll say that the 450-room property has been a mainstay in the city’s social scene throughout the years—and it was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Read more at Galerie

What It Took to Convert an Old Chicago Sears into Modern Retail and Residential

Lead designer and MG2 principal Jooyeol Oh talked with C+CT contributing editor Joel Groover about 6 Corners Lofts, a transformed historic Chicago Sears building that is now a mixed-use development.

MG2’s Community Environments team carefully preserved the building’s art deco character while introducing contemporary elements like floor-to-ceiling windows and a new top floor with luxury amenities.

“We punched floor-to-ceiling windows and added balconies and terraces. This allowed us to modernize the old Sears retail store and warehouse to a residential use while preserving its art deco character. To expand the number of residential units, we added a whole new 31-unit wing that complements the look and feel of its counterpart.”

Read more at ICSC

Architecture Firms See Billings Change – MG2 Ranked #18 in Architectural Firms list for 2024

So excited to see that The Orange County Business Journal has ranked MG2 #18 in its Architectural Firms list for 2024.

“The firm has seen an uptick in retail, industrial, and affordable housing markets, according to chief executive officer Mitch Smith. ‘The growth in all three of these sectors has had a substantial impact on architectural billings in our Irvine office, reflecting the adaptability and agility of our team,’ Smith said.”

Read more on The Orange County Business Journal

The Orange County Business Journal ranked MG2 #18 in Architectural Firms list for 2024

So excited to see that The Orange County Business Journal has ranked MG2 in the top 20 of its Architectural Firms list for 2024.

Read more on The Orange County Business Journal

Adaptive reuse of a Sears store becomes luxury mixed-use housing

After serving 80 years as a retail space, 6 Corners Lofts is revitalizing the Chicago area as an adaptive reuse, mixed-use development.

Read more in Building Design + Construction

Meet Our Team

Natalie Pierro

Senior Project Designer

Natalie Pierro has over 13 years of experience designing luxury spaces, including façade development, floor plans, interiors, and amenity spaces. She loves that architecture can shape the human experience and make a statement about a project’s historical context and community. Natalie forms strong relationships with her clients, serving as an advocate for their vision and finding unexpected solutions to each project’s unique challenges. She is passionate about strong design and chooses timeless, thoughtful details that feel genuine to their space and push her clients’ vision forward.

Meet Our Team

Natalie Hyde, ncidq, well ap

Senior Interior Designer

For Natalie Hyde—a sustainably-minded, award-winning designer—the greatest joy of crafting interior spaces is fostering interactions and discovery throughout a space, bringing joy and comfort to all who experience them. With almost two decades of expertise and an NCIDQ Certification under her belt, she specializes in designing memorable residential and hospitality projects that immerse residents and guests alike, and offer a destination-worthy space for the surrounding community.

The Best Commercial Architects in Irvine, California

We’re excited to be named one of The Best Commercial Architects in Irvine, CA by Los Angeles Architects.

Spearheaded by award-winning Managing Principal Meghana Joshi, AIA, NOMA, the company’s leadership champions a purpose-driven work culture, fostering meaningful connections between employees, clients, and the communities they serve. In addition to overseeing regional retail, mixed-use, and industrial markets, Meghana is responsible for expanding the firm’s reach, focusing on retail banking, as well as senior living and affordable housing in California.

MG2 is a trailblazer, continuously evolving and adapting to the changing landscape, earning accolades from Fast Company, Architizer, and Interior Design Magazine as well as feature articles in Building Design + Construction, Forbes, Development Magazine, Chain Store Age, and Architectural Record.

Read more in Los Angeles Architects

Cost-effective Ways to Create an Outdoor Oasis in Your Own Backyard

MG2’s Senior Interior Designer, Natalie Hyde, shared her insights on maximizing outdoor living space with Amber Katz from The Seattle Times.

Read more in The Seattle Times

Travel and Leisure names the Salish Lodge and Spa one of Readers’ 15 Favorite Resorts in the West

This year Travel and Leisure named the Salish Lodge and Spa one of Readers’ 15 Favorite Resorts in the West. The resort was judged on its rooms, location, services, food, and value and more than 886,000 individuals voted.

“The setting of Salish Lodge & Spa is second to none. It’s perched directly above the 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls, one of the state’s most popular attractions. Beyond its magnificent backdrop — which includes thick, green forest land and mountain peaks — the property has an award-winning spa and a restaurant with big picture windows overlooking the falls and the river below it.”

Read the full article here

Mountlake Village

Mountlake Village is a mixed-use development that meets the needs of a diverse, active, and growing population. The development includes residential and retail space to invite the community in. Amenities include a coworking space, a ground-floor plaza, resident lounges, a gym, a yoga studio, a dog grooming facility, a dog run, and a rooftop terrace.

  • Project Details

  • Location Mountlake Terrace, WA
  • Client Gracorp
  • Market Sectors ,
  • Size 400,000 SF; 280,000 SF residential; 7,000 SF commercial; 302 units
  • Services

The Manning

Located within the master planned Barkley Village development, The Manning is a new 171-unit residential complex. The building includes a gym amenity space and a large commercial space on the ground floor. Building on the master plan’s goals for a true urban village, the development seeks to draw in the community and add vibrancy to the area. Residents have direct access to dining, shopping, and entertainment options from a farmer’s market to a movie theater.

  • Project Details

  • Location Bellingham, WA
  • Client Talbot Group
  • Market Sectors ,
  • Size 290,000 Total SF; 3,000 SF Commercial; 171 Units
  • Services
  • Certifications Green Globes Certified

Beltline Block

Beltline is a vibrant neighborhood comprised of rich history, modern luxury, and a spirited community with a personality all its own. The development holistically reflects and celebrates the historical character of the district while weaving in modern sophistication. Beltline Block includes a multi-phase mix of residential and commercial uses including four towers, each delivered in a separate phase.

MG2 Ranked #4 in Architecture and #5 in Multi-unit Residential in ENR Northwest 2024 Top Design Firms

MG2 has been ranked #4 in architecture and #5 in multi-unit residential in ENR Northwest’s 2024 Top Design Firms.

Read more in Engineering News-Record

MG2 Ranked #3 in Retail in ENR California 2024 Top Design Firms

We’re thrilled to be ranked #3 in Retail for ENR California’s Top Design Firms 2024. Meghana Joshi leads our Irvine office, which spearheads our California operations and elevates projects across the region.

Read more in Engineering News-Record

Angel of the Winds RV Resort & Entertainment Space

The Clubhouse at Angel of the Winds RV Resort in Arlington, WA, is inspired by the grand lodges of the National Parks. An RV-sized porte-cochere is the gateway to the resort, directly connecting guests to the entrance for a seamless arrival experience. The property offers an elevated camping environment, which today’s travelers are looking for.

Essential to the building’s design is its indoor/outdoor connection, emphasized by floor-to-ceiling windows. A grand hall has a gable roof, high ceilings, and a large fireplace for gatherings. Shou Sugi Ban Charred Wood, used on the façade, is repeated in the interior, along with locally finished cedar wood ceilings and paneling. A large communal firepit reminiscent of a campfire beckons guests to meet and mingle and encourages impromptu conversation. S’Klallam artist Brian Perry crafted traditionally inspired art pieces found throughout the property. A gathering room featuring a lounge area with foosball and pool tables and a view of the outdoors was designed for casual conversation.

Beyond the Clubhouse lies the resort’s extensive facilities, which include 182 RV stalls, 8 yurts, hotel-quality restrooms with shower and laundry facilities, picnic and BBQ shelters, an off-leash dog park, an interpretive walking trail, 9 fire pits, pickleball courts, a miniature golf course, and a children’s playground. In the distance is a lookout pavilion with a view of the valley and Mt. Baker. The Clubhouse is designed to serve the entire RV resort as a gathering and entertainment space infused with the area’s natural wonder.

Salish Lodge Renovation

A sustainable fusion of rest and relaxation

The renowned Salish Lodge & Spa, recognized by Conde Nast for its excellence, is a prominent hotel and spa situated atop a cliff overlooking Snoqualmie Falls in the Pacific Northwest.

In 2017, MG2 was tasked with refreshing the facility while maintaining its Northwest character. This involved renovating indoor and outdoor spaces, including guest bathrooms, and updating interior finishes and the exterior facade. MG2 also designed the spa interior, seamlessly blending Japanese influences with the local aesthetic, creating a serene atmosphere with cedar wood tones, soothing eucalyptus fragrances, and natural stones for an elevated guest experience focused on relaxation and rejuvenation.

In 2023, MG2 further enhanced the lodge, introducing a new lobby bar, a rideshare-friendly porte cochere, and a bespoke grand timber reception desk. These additions modernized the lodge, streamlined operations and elevated the overall guest experience.

Awards