KTGY GROUP Expands National Presence & Opens New Denver Office — Michael I. Ohara & Scott R. Higa to Head Up New Office

IRVINE, CA - Award-winning KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, has opened a new office in Denver, Colorado to expand its services in the United States. The new office, which is located in the Symes Building at 820 16th Street, Suite 535, will be headed by industry veterans Michael Ohara, principal and director of residential design and Scott Higa, principal and director of retail. This year also marks KTGY’s 15th year anniversary.

“The timing is perfect for us to open a new regional office in Denver,” said KTGY’s CEO Tricia Esser. “We have been working with clients in this region for many years and now we have a diversified team in place to better serve our clientele as well as enhanced capabilities to expand into new geographical markets.”

KTGY’s Denver office is currently managing a variety of mixed-use, master-planned, residential and retail development projects located throughout the West such as a 150-acre master plan near the Denver International Airport for DPC Development Company; retail power, commercial and lifestyle centers in Denver, Utah and Southern California; townhomes for Toll Brothers in Lonetree; a 500-unit mixed-use project for Jupiter Golf Limited Partnership in the Las Vegas Valley; and the 25-acre master-planned community of Riverwalk for William Lyon Homes in Riverside, California.

“Cities across the nation are grappling with such issues as workforce and affordable housing, diminishing land resources, transportation costs and the revitalization of their city centers,” said Higa. “Denver’s light rail expansion, its commitment to affordable housing and mixed-use projects and its exceptional downtown renaissance make it an ideal location for a firm with our portfolio and experience.”

Scott R. Higa, AIA, NCARB, most recently served as a managing principal with MCG Architecture in Englewood, CO and brings an impressive portfolio of retail experience that encompasses concept design and master planning through construction and final project delivery. His background includes open-air lifestyle centers, suburban shopping centers, power centers and mixed-use developments, as well as high-end retail for urban infill locations and includes recent Colorado projects: The Prairie Center, a 280-acre retail power center; Colorado Rapids Stadium, a 700-acre master plan development; and Larkridge, a 205-acre retail power center. Licensed in eight states, Higa is also credentialed with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Michael I. Ohara brings to KTGY 23 years of professional experience in residential architecture, with particular focus on multi-family housing in California and Colorado and mixed-use projects that include The Point at Five Points in Denver, Courtyards at Quail Lake in Colorado Springs and Highlands Ranch Town Center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He most recently served as associate principal for JG Johnson Architects in Denver as well as a managing partner for Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh in Denver.

KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, was created in 1991, with project viability and client satisfaction as abiding priorities, while providing complete planning and architectural design services for residential communities, retail developments and related specialty projects. In a complex and changing world, the firm consistently delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance.

KTGY takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studio teams, who deliver superior services, thus strengthening clients’ long-term growth and earnings objectives. Serving clients throughout the United States, the firm has locations in Irvine, Santa Monica, Oakland and Denver. For more information, contact Stacy Stout at (303) 825-6400 or Sayeh Rad at (949) 851-2133 or visit www.ktgy.com.

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