Architecture, engineering and design company HOK announced Tuesday the acquisition of Kansas City-based 360 Architecture. The merger brings HOK, a St. Louis-based firm with offices around the country, back into the realm of sports architecture.
For fifteen years, from 1983 to 2008, HOK's practice, HOK Sport, focused on sports facilities. When it broke off and formed Populous in 2009, a five-year non-compete agreement dictated that HOK would not work on sports and Populous would not work outside of sports. With the expiration of this clause, it's now wide open.
In April, Populous released details to the Kansas City Business Journal about its plans to expand beyond sports architecture. With the acquisition of 360 Architecture, HOK will add the 180-person team - and its sports expertise - to its roster of 1,600 employees. 360 Architecture, created in 2004 with the merger of two Kansas City firms, is considered one of the leading designers of stadiums, ballparks, arenas, as well as mixed-use entertainment districts.
"360 Architecture is a progressive design firm that has helped lead the transformation of sports architecture," said HOK President Bill Hellmuth in a release. "These facilities have evolved into true destinations that are integrated into the urban fabric and are key components of vibrant, healthy cities."
The merger of the two firms is slated to be finalized by Oct. 31.
