Phoenix is the capital of the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona. Known for its year-round sun and warm temperatures, it anchors a sprawling, multi-city metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun. It’s known for high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses and various multifamily establishments scattered across Arizona.
Every multifamily structure is one-of-a-kind, shown through its style, amenities, floor plan, and brand identity. To get there, skilled architects must first learn about the client and their goals. The finished result not only achieves the ideal balance of high-quality finishes, energy-efficient architecture, and cutting-edge technology, but it also provides a financially feasible, sustainable, and livable solution for all future residents. In this article, we walk you through the 10 best multifamily architects in Phoenix, Arizona who have successfully done multifamily apartment buildings in the city.
Swaback Architects + Planners
7550 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
SWABACK has been delivering services in special case architectural design, community planning and development, interior design, environmental design, and graphic design since 1978. With over 41 years of study and preparation, Swaback was founded to create an Architectural and Planning practice that would provide individualized work for various clients. The firm’s collective experience has included a significant number of award-winning custom residential designs, residential developments, private clubs and spas, resorts, hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, the firm has a strong base in sustainable building practices. It is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards such as the 2020 NAHB Best in American Living – Best Custom Home over 8,000 square feet for the Sedona Moongate Residence and the 2019 Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards – Merit Award.
Featured here is the proposed Museum Square development in Old Town Scottsdale. Plans include a hotel with structures stretching 150 feet high — The Arizonan — accompanied by 190 rooms and 300-plus residential housing units divided up into four separate buildings. The residential component is made up of both an apartment complex and condominium units.
Cuningham Group
5001 East Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Cuningham was founded in 1968 by John Cuningham and is based on a very inclusive architecture paradigm that includes substantial client, consultant, engineer, and contractor input. The firm celebrated 50 years of development, new initiatives, and collaborative client and partner partnerships in 2018.
With a wide array of multifamily projects within and outside Arizona, Cuningham Group is dedicated to accomplishing multifamily projects that create a beautiful, balanced world. An example of their work is Union at Berkley Riverfront Park is a mixed-use project with residences, retail space, and a 440-stall parking garage. The property’s residential component consists of two four-story buildings with 400 market-rate flats. Parking and well-appointed courtyards divide the buildings, which have an above-ground connection to adjoining residential structures. On the first level, retail space is distributed to the corners of the buildings, with a two-story restaurant on the property’s west end.
CCBG Architects, Inc.
102 E. Buchanan St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
CCBG Architects, Inc. has been constructing stunningly unusual and inventive structures and places since 1965. They have a great grasp of the present “Urban Growth” sweeping over the city and believe that their history and skills make them the finest firm for the task. The firm is headquartered in the Warehouse District in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. They also have a San Diego office and have worked on projects in the western United States and Canada, giving them a thorough understanding of many architectural styles and histories.
An example of their work is the Roosevelt Row district, one of two developments sistered on the north and south sides of Roosevelt at 3rd Street. The project caters to the demands of young professionals with 104 rental units over street level retail. Majority of works on their portfolio have been featured by various press such as Architectural Lighting Magazine, Home Magazine, AZ Big Media, and more.
SmithGroup
455 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Established in 1853, SmithGroup is one of the country’s oldest architectural firms. It is also one of the first to offer integrated architecture and engineering – a strategy that positioned the firm at the forefront of the industry and led to its role developing groundbreaking facilities such as Ford’s first manufacturing plants. Today, SmithGroup is an award winning integrated design firm with more than a thousand design experts and specialists in 15 offices working together to Design A Better Future.
In Phoenix, the skyline is changing dramatically and the future Adeline development is key to Downtown’s exciting evolution. Designed by SmithGroup, Adeline is a 25-story luxury rental residential high-rise in the heart of Phoenix that will be one of the tallest buildings in Arizona. The 480,000 square foot tower includes 379 units and features spectacular city and mountain views, contemporary interior design and exclusive amenities including a rooftop dog park, bike storage, a coffee bar and concierge service. Named for Adeline Gray, one of the city’s first female leaders, the Adeline is rooted in history while establishing the future of Phoenix.
DAVIS
3033 N. Central Ave. Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Founded in 1991, DAVIS is an Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design firm specializing in high-end commercial and residential mixed-use properties for the nation’s best corporations and developers. They create inspired architecture for everyday life, and have designed 75 million square feet of highly successful business, residential and social environments with a value of $20 Billion.
DAVIS has been honored with numerous awards for outstanding architecture and interior design. Among these are the 2017 NEWHonors Award for Best Multi-Family Public Space, the 2018 Gold Nugget Award for Best Multi-Family Housing Community (30-60 du/acre), and the most recently the 2021 Red Award for Best Office Project with more than 150,000 square feet. They have also been featured in various media in Arizona like AZRE, AZ Big Media, and Arizona Business Magazine.
Merge Architectural Group
600 N. 4th Street Suite 112, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Merge Architectural Group (MAG) is an award-winning architectural business based in Phoenix, Arizona, that specializes in architectural, planning, and interior design. It boasts a wide portfolio of exceptional community, education, government, higher education, hospitality, and multifamily buildings, co-founded by Carlos Murrieta and Clarisa del Castillo. Its principals Clarisa del Castillo & Carlos A. Murrieta has garnered many certifications and achievements over the years, leading the company to become dedicated in developing excellence through a client-centered collaborative design process that ensures each customer receives the most responsive, accurate, and cost-effective solution possible.
MAG was lauded for the Tuba City Multifamily Complex – TCRHCC. The client began the project on a site with existing infrastructure in order to address the growing need for affordable, accessible homes. The design team came up with a layout for three two-story structures that would house one and two-bedroom apartments. Four different floor designs were created to give potential tenants a greater range of choices. The structures are made of wood and have a single membrane roof and a synthetic stucco exterior. The structure also includes high-end interior finishes and fittings, balconies, and shade structures.
Motley Design
1114 Grand Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Motley Design Group LLC is an architecture and planning firm based in Phoenix, Arizona, that was created in 2006. The firm is heavily involved in adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and urban revitalization projects in the city core. In the Southwest U.S., the firm is well-known for its expertise in historic preservation, local architectural history, old construction materials and techniques, and the application of contemporary codes to older buildings. The firm also offers historic preservation tax credit applications, preservation agency approvals, and LEED certification in addition to design services.
One of the establishments in which the firm takes pride is the Arizona Opera Center. For Arizona’s leading opera company, this project is a new black box practice hall and performance facility. It was constructed with the intention of opening up to a huge public courtyard for outside performances.
K&I Architects & Interiors, LLC
Central Art Plaza, 1850 N. Central Ave. Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Garnering 20 years in the industry, K & I Architects & Interiors, LLC, situated in Phoenix, Arizona, is an award-winning full-service architectural and interior design firm. All site planning, exterior and interior design, and construction administration services are available through K&I Architects & Interiors, LLC. Retail, office, multi-family, and commercial centers are their areas of expertise as well as revitalization work. This firm has been widely recognized by Red Magazine, AZ Big Media, and AZBEX among many others.
DPA Architects
3719 N. 75th Street Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
DPA stands for “Designers of Progressive Architecture” and was founded in 1991. Their focus on progress extends beyond design and architecture to include quality, budget, timeliness, and administration. They believe all of these are necessary components for a successful project. As they expand their portfolio with projects mostly found in Arizona, they continually take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate their talents, qualifications, interests, and dedicated spirit to their clients. With projects like this, the firm garnered numerous features in the City AZ Magazine and AZ Big Media.
