VLK Commercial Portfolio - 2023

DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR PROJECT’S FULL POTENTIAL

HISTORY OF VLK ARCHITECTS

Driven by innovation, purpose, and design excellence, VLK Architects is a multidisciplinary architecture firm whose practice areas include Commercial, Municipal, Education, and Automotive market sectors. With over 35 years of experience and a robust team of architects and supporting staff, VLK has the size and experience to service clients and projects of any size. Our business and project delivery processes have been recognized regionally and nationally multiple times, including Zweig Group; Building Design + Construction’s Annual Giants 300 Report; and by Architectural Record as a Top 300 Architecture Firm.

Our development and commercial clients experience designs that are influenced and informed by extensive regional, national, and international experience. With offices across the state of Texas, we have formulated deep community roots, experiences, and relationships in all of the major metropolitan areas and sub-markets of Texas.

VLK MISSION

We guide clients through process, collaboration and imagination to realize exceptional environments to work, live, learn and play.

Firm Information

Office Locations: Commercial Project Types:

Austin 2700 Via Fortuna, Suite 230 Austin, TX 78746 | 512.807.3145

Dallas Legacy Town Center III

5801 Tennyson Parkway, Suite 100 Plano, TX 75024 | 972.265.1885

Fort Worth

1320 Hemphill St., Suite 400 Fort Worth, TX 76104 | 817.633.1600

Houston 20445 State Highway 249, Suite 300 Houston, TX 77070 | 281.671.2300

San Antonio

250 W Nottingham, Suite 115 San Antonio, TX 78209

Shell Office and Medical Office Buildings

Mixed-Use

Adaptive Re-use and Renovation

Mid-Rise and High-Rise Office Towers

Multi-Family Residential

Development Planning and Strategies

Corporate Interiors

Transit Oriented Development

Feasibility Studies and Analysis

Municipal, Civic and Cultural

Destination/Lifestyle Retail

Sports Facilities and Fields

Hospitality and Resort

Restaurant/Food and Beverage

Light Industrial

Jeff Ireland

CEO & Co-Founder Enilon

"VLK was able to understand our wants and needs and come up with a design that is extremely functional yet unique and beautifully artistic in a cost effective way. The space reflects the personality of Enilon as the Digital Agency we have grown to become, and I could not be happier with the way it turned out.”

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701 W. Magnolia Mixed-Use

Project Information

Project Location:

Fort Worth, TX

Project Cost:

$15,000,000

Project Completion:

Under Design

The 701 W. Magnolia Project is a mixed-use development of Office and Retail uses on a 1.54 acre site located in Fort Worth, Texas at the southwest corner of Hemphill and West Magnolia Avenue. The mixed-use project includes a multi-level level parking structure of approximately 90,000 s.f., an Office building of approximately 35,000 s.f. and ground level Retail of approximately 10,000 s.f. Additionally, a separate two story Retail building of approximately 3,500 s.f. located at the corner of Travis and Magnolia along with a thirty-five foot wide exterior Pedestrian Mall is included.

The Project site is located within the Near Southside overlay district of the City of Fort Worth and subject to additional requirements and approvals that have been secured by the Developer. The site is also the location of the historic La Cava building which will remain along with two other buildings deemed historic in nature. These three buildings are not part of the project but the site improvements will that will interface with each building are included.

The Developer has also secured a TIF for a portion of the Project that includes the Pedestrian Mall area and public right-of-ways that abut and/or adjoin the Project Site.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort And Spa

Project Information

Project Location:

Cedar Creek, TX

Located along the banks of the Lower Colorado River, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa features 491 guest rooms and 405 acres of outdoor terrain with activities like golf, horseback riding, hiking and river kayaking.

Ohana Real Estate Investors acquired this property in 2021 and engaged MultiDiscipline Design Team including VLK to help renovate and refresh all of the restaurants, bars and coffee shops at the resort. Our efforts include the renovation, reconfiguration and rebranding of existing venues that includes Modern Roadhouse, Pecan Tree Bar, Primrose Path and Hill Country Dining Hall.

Houston Pavilions Office Park

Project Information

Project Location:

Houston, TX

Project Cost:

$78,000,000

Project Completion:

2008

Multilevel mixed use complex that borders on 2 major circulation axis in downtown Houston, Texas. The site’s three city blocks are bordered by Main, Dallas, Caroline and Polk Streets in downtown Houston. The project also spans over Fannin and San Jacinto Streets. Sited along the new rail line, Pavilions represents the last major piece of the puzzle in downtown Houston’s resurgence into a 24 hour city. The project is home to 395,000 square feet of retail tenants, distributed across the three blocks at two and three stories. In addition, the project will includes one office loft tower. The office loft building will be 215,000 square feet over 9 stories. Parking will be provided in an adjacent existing parking garage.

A series of repeating brick piers and metal extrusions are the main organizer of the project, unifying the exterior of the three city blocks. In contrast to the measured exterior, the interior’s open-air alley has a more fluid dynamic. The project’s bridges over Fannin and San Jacinto act as gateways to the city, with supporting trusses covered with translucent panels allowing light into the interior space, while offering needed protection.

*Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at Laguarda.Low.

Cushman Wakefield Turtle Creek Concept

Project Information

Project Location:

Dallas, TX

Project Cost:

N/A

Project Completion:

N/A

VLK Architects was retained by Cushman Wakefield to analyze the existing site at 2525 Turtle Creek Avenue in Dallas, Texas respective to potential multifamily development. The primary objective of this initial study was to attempt to maximize density ‘by-rights” within the existing zoning of the site. The option shown has a parking structure/configuration and a street-facing lower portion of the building mass envisioned as low-rise, market rate for-rent units facing onto Enid Street. The street-level area along Enid could be also considered for light retail/office amenities such as a coffee shop, dry cleaner or even live/work units.

Emaar Beach Vista Towers

Project Information

Project Location:

Dubai, UAE

Project Completion

Under Construction

The first of a multi-phase residential master plan development, Beach Vista Towers is located within the new Dubai Harbour Development. The Towers offer residents 360-degree ocean views and private beach access, a lushly landscaped podium, and infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The towers have 432 apartment units and five exclusive townhouses directly on the beachfront.

*Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at Laguarda.Low.

Dodson Development Urban Union

Project Information

Project Location:

Arlington, TX

Urban Union comprises roughly 4 blocks of properties near Downtown Arlington. It is a district with a variety of uses and building types: residential, small commercial, warehouse and office. The intent of the Urban Union PD is to re-capture the spirit of the area and its buildings as vigorous and divers live / work community. In order to do that, the requested revisions embrace and enhance the existing building forms and materials, and give opportunities for surprising and delightful additions, all in a walkable environment.

Urban Market

Hurtado BBQ

Sugarbee Sweets

Salter Bros Coffee

500 E. Front Retail

Union Worx

4 Kahunas Tiki Bar

Tipsy Oak

Legal Draft

Gateway Avenue Retail Center

Located at the heart of the Dubai International Finance Center, the Gate Avenue is a unique urban destination and an extraordinary retail environment. The center serves the area’s office, hotel and residential communities, providing both convenient and uniquely enjoyable shopping experiences.

*Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at RMJM, the Architect-of-Record.

COSCO Shipping Sino Ocean Complex

Project Information

Project Location:

Beijing, China

Project Completion:

2007

The Ocean Paradise site is situated along Beijing’s Fourth Ring Road in the Chaoyang District. Importantly, the Fourth Ring Road, is the primary entry road for international guests arriving from Beijing Airport and traveling to the city. Designed as a grand boulevard, with wide verges of landscaped parks along its length, the communities and buildings that front the Ring Road have a prominent position within the city and should therefore create a positive image for contemporary Beijing. The north-west corner of the Ocean Paradise development is a long narrow site that fronts the public park and its impressive complex of office, residential and commercial buildings aspires to reflect the sophisticated image of Beijing.

At the project’s western end sits a 25-story office building featuring private entry and drop-off, to prevent interference with recreational and residential traffic. The high-end Soho Residential building is complemented by a club that provides a wealth of leisure offerings, including a pool, gaming areas, and library. The 4-story retail center is serviced by three pedestrian walkways to accommodate visitors from all directions, and guide them to restaurant tenants after mall hours. With 30% green coverage and innovative “cool roofing” to reflect sunlight, Sino Ocean is an environmentally conscious, architecturally-advanced project for modern Beijing.

*Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at Laguarda.Low.

Two Briarlake Plaze Phase 2

Project Information

Project Location:

Houston, TX 2014

Project Completion:

Nicknamed by developer Tier Reit (formerly Behringer Harvard), phase of a commercial development which began in 1999. Designed

Office Tower, Two Briarlake serves as the regional headquarters for Samsung Engineering.

Phase 1

Phase 2

Nicknamed “The Little Sister” by developer Tier Reit (formerly Behringer Harvard), Two Briarlake Plaza was the second phase of a commercial development which began in 1999. Designed as a Class AA Office Tower, Two Briarlake serves as the regional headquarters for Samsung Engineering.

Project by VLK Designer Trace Saenz while employed as a Designer at Kirksey.

The design uses light to create moments of interest and incoporates a ribbon of white glass as an element that flows throughout the exterior and interior. This is reflected in the “light cloud” (above), elevator cabs, and core restrooms.

Innovation Hub

Project Information

Project Location:

Dubai, UAE

Project Completion

2019

Located in the heart of Dubai, Innovation Hub is a new business park in the heart of Dubai that hosts a broad spectrum of high-tech firms, large and small. The master plan includes nearly 1.2 million SF of office space and a nearly 97,000 SF hotel. Underground parking enables an open central plaza at ground level, conjoining boutique offices, cafes, and restaurants.

*Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at RMJM, the Architect-of-Record.

Texas Facilities Commission

Administration Building - 1601 Congress, Austin, Texas

Government Sector Project - Under Construction / Fall 2022

Project Information

Project Location:

Austin, TX

Project Completion:

Fall 2022

massive four block-five level parking garage is disguised, and box” stair portals integrate into the blanket of green space regions of Texas. The portals are stairwells connecting the Capitol to the UT campus and will be host to various events

The 2016 Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan reimagines the Capitol Complex as a destination that celebrates the Capitol and centralizes all state agencies. The 1601 office building is part of phase one and will act as an anchor to a four-block, five level underground parking garage with a tree-lined park at grade called the Texas Mall.

The 2016 Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan reimagines the Capitol Complex as a destination that celebrates the Capitol and centralizes all state agencies. The 1601 office building is part of phase one and will act as an anchor to a four-block, five level underground parking garage with a tree-lined park at grade called the Texas Mall.

Project by VLK Designer Trace Saenz while employed as a Designer at Kirksey.

CyrusOne Data Center West III - Administration Buidling

Houston, Texas

Science and Technology Sector Project - Concept Studies / 2012

CyrusOne Data Center West III Administration Buidling

Project Information

Project Location:

Houston, TX

Project Completion:

2013

The client wanted to make a statement to the Houston market by created a data center that would capture their company’s brand and cloud based service. Inspired by the circuit board, the buildings long, flat footprint is accented by energetic lighting and patterns.

Owner request for proposal (RFP) - Design competition winner

Project by VLK Designer Trace Saenz while employed as a Designer at Kirksey.

American Paint Horse Association Headquarters

Project Information

Project Location:

Fort Worth, TX

Project Cost:

N/A

Project Completion:

2020

When Fort Worth-based American Paint Horse Association decided to relocate the headquarters to a more vibrant and visible location, the Stockyards District was an ideal choice. Perfectly aligned to its Western aesthetic, the new offices will be located in a restored century-old mule barn. The design brings APHA’s strong brand into the experience by showcasing the barn’s existing clerestories, exposed ceilings, original clay tiles, and exposed brick walls. Design elements such as sliding barn doors, industrial steel finishes, reclaimed wood, concrete floors, natural textiles, and art with accent colors derived from paint horse scenery,and even a grain bin theater and stair were intentionally incorporated. “Our greatest priority was to capture the association’s authenticity,” said Interior Designer, Haley Thurston. The new space accommodates intriguing new learning and retail components that celebrate the organization’s collection of Western art and artifacts.

while the builidng sits low on an open horizon.

Apache Corporate Office

Project Experience

Project Information

Project Location:

Midland, TX 2014

Project Completion:

In the heart of west Texas, the town of Midland is surrounded by a sea of pump jacks, used to pump oil from the earth. When Apache initiated the expansion of their office area, focused on energy and hydrocarbon exploration, it was only fitting to tie the context of the oil industry and apply the pump jack as a metaphor to the design. The form of the entry element represents the dynamic gesture of the pump jack, the vertical mullion pattern creates a motion and a rhythm, while the building sits low on an open horizon.

Project by VLK Designer Trace Saenz while employed as a Designer at Kirksey.

Mercantile Partners Gourley Plaza

Project Information

Project Location:

Fort Worth, TX

Project Cost:

$2,500,000

Project Completion:

2018

VLK was asked to update a tired office building lobby into an impactful entry experience. Renovations included finishes, lighting systems, and furnishings.

iProspect Tenant Finish Out/Adaptive Re-Use

Project Information

Project Location:

Fort Worth, TX

Project Completion:

2014

iProspect is a leading, global digital marketing agency with a 25,000 sf Fort Worth office offering employees a modern and flexible work space. The design intent intertwines familiar and historical elements of Fort Worth with the sleek high-tech industry that iProspect serves. The rehabilitated warehouse features an open layout, allowing employees to focus on group orientation and collaborative team building. The design team used sustainable strategies wherever possible by working with the building owner in advance to use existing walls for partitions and reclaimed wood for the new sliding barn doors. These elements merge with modern components such as writable glass wall surfaces and high-tech A/V systems to create a unique work environment for employees.

SCM Bios Partners Tenant Finish Out

Project Information

Project Location:

Fort Worth, TX

Project Cost:

$875,000

Project Completion:

2018

Situated along University Drive and the banks of the Trinity River in central Fort Worth, the concept for Steelhead Capital Management’s corporate office rises to meet the fresh, high-energy feel of its WestBend location. VLK’s Interior Architecture team engaged the venture capital firm to co-create an ideal scenario for an 8,600 sf blank slate that realizes their vision and programmatic needs.

Through this collaborative process, VLK and Steelhead developed an imaginative design concept that synthesizes the organization’s elegant tech culture with a vibrantly open atmosphere. The crisp gallery feel is an ideal foil to showcase bold spots of color that align with vibrant art pieces, including works from local artist John Holt Smith. A unique preserved moss wall adds a striking organic contrast to the industrial atmosphere for a play on nature, art, and architecture.

Shuua Capital Dubawi Towers

Project Information

Project Location:

Dubai, UAE

Project Completion:

N/A

The vision for this development is to create a remarkable building distinctive from the surrounding Business Bay environment. The design makes a strong architectural statement, offering a striking focal point for visitors. The architectural form is a simple tubular volume culminating into a slanted bladed top that draws inspiration from the edges of the dunes formed in the desert. The playful façade mimics the desert sun’s rise and fall, reimagined within the Business Bay urban setting.

Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at RMJM.

Aga Hall Estate Redevelopment

Project Information

Project Location:

Mumbai, India

Project Completion:

N/A

The redevelopment of the Estate provides a major opportunity to significantly improve the quality of life of the residents by addressing their residential, social, economic and spiritual needs. The redevelopment aims to provide safe quality living spaces to all the residents and significantly improve the infrastructure of the property. The redevelopment also aims to vastly enhance the spatial and environmental quality of the Estate through the provision of green spaces, multifunctional common areas and modern amenities. The architecture, interior design, and landscape are envisaged to have an elegant, timeless quality, while also demonstrating a strong connection to the historical aspect of the Imamat and the community in Mumbai. The built environment will strongly aim to create a sense of community by keeping in mind the cultural and environmental context of the site and the various traditions in which the community exists and encourage social interaction and family units.

Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at Stantec.

Gateway Towers

Project Information

Project Location:

Dubai, UAE

n/a

The Gateway Towers were conceived as two iconic towers that form a visual reference and symbolic entrance to the Business Bay district. The 3 million SF development is spread out over four land parcels that are divided by vehicular streets. Each tower has a height of 1,197 SF. The north tower consists of residential apartments while the south tower is a mix of luxury hotel and service apartments. The parking garages to the east service the towers and the street-level retail and townhouses above. All four parcels are interconnected with sky-bridges spanning across the streets.

Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at Stantec.

Granite Westchase Phase 2

Project Information

Project Location:

Houston, TX 2008

Project Completion

The clients challenged the designer to design the interior lob-by to reflect the sunset of Matagorda Bay. Working closely with an artist out of Wimberly, Texas, the hand blown glass fixtures and art work were woven into the design as a primary feature of the lobby. The warmth of the architecture provides a complimentary back-drop while the blown-glass artwork incorporates colors of the sunset. The seating area is defined by a cloud of light, which then moves through the elevator lobby and core spaces, carrying this important concept throughout the building.

Project by VLK Designer Trace Saenz while employed as a Designer at Kirksey.

Our clients challenged us to design the interior lobby to reflect the sunset of Matagorda Bay. Working closely with an artist out of Wimberly, Texas, the hand blown glass fixtures and art work were woven into the

Commercial Sector Project (spec office) - LEED Core and Shell + LEED Gold (1st bldg in Houston to recieve both) / 2008

Granite Westchase Phase 2 Houston, Texas

The Palm Resort

The 70 acre residential community named The Parkway will contain over 500 premium villas that will act as weekend homes to the elite of Surat. The site of this new development was once an historic plantation that was famous for growing roses. As part of the “unique selling point” of the project, the developer wants to also develop an exclusive club that will feature a 30 key hotel, a restaurant and café, a banquet hall capable of hosting 500 people, various indoor recreational activities such as billiards and table tennis, a swimming pool, mini-theater and much more.

*Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at RMJM, the Architect-of-Record.

Emaar Dubai Harbour Waterfront

Project Information

Project Location:

Dubai, UAE

Project Completion

2020

Dubai Harbour is a unique waterfront destination located between The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. The mixed-use project will include high- and low-rise residential buildings, waterfront villas and houses, retail outlets, restaurants and cafes, and hotels. It offers unparalleled views of Dubai’s skyline and the Arabian Gulf. It also contributes to the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020 to promote tourism and strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading tourist destination.

The Emaar Waterfront development located in Zone 2 of Dubai Harbour comprises more than 10 million SF with a resort hotel residential waterfront / beach front apartments, and retail.

Project by VLK Principal Christopher Laack while employed as a Director at INI Design.