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BRITO COHAN & ASSOCIATES Becomes ?BC Architects?
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01/16/2005
BRITO COHAN & ASSOCIATES Becomes ?BC Architects? Noted Architectural Firm Announces Name Change and New Partner in Success
Noted South Florida Architect Specializing in High Rise, Urban and Luxury Development projects stakes claim for the future with Name Change and New Partner. Firm is known for number of built projects, knowledge of and success with regulatory process.
MIAMI--CORAL GABLES (PRWEB) March 17 2004-- Brito, Cohan & Associates, Architecture and Planning, announced today that the firm has changed the company name from Brito Cohan & Associates, to BC Architects AIA, Inc. (BC Architects), and named Vanessa Jimenez a new partner.
A long-term associate of the firm, Vanessa Jimenez has been with BC Architects for nine years. Ms. Jimenez specializes in hospitality and condominium architecture, and as partner, will continue taking an active role in projects from the initial stage of the commission.
BC Architects was recently listed in South Florida Business Journal?s Book of Lists as One of the State?s Largest Architectural Firms, and is annually responsible for providing services for projects with construction values in excess of 300 million dollars.
With offices at 4942 LeJeune Road, Suite 200, Coral Gables, FL 33146 in the heart of Coral Gables, the firm specializes in architecture and planning for multi family, luxury and urban mixed-use projects throughout the state.
BC Architects is the firm of choice for some of the state?s largest developers, including Boca Developers, Kolter Property Company, WCI, Gulf Bay Group of Companies, Taylor Woodrow and Meruelo Investments, Inc. The firm is well known for the number of successfully built high-rise projects, and for their role in shepherding projects through the regulatory process.
BC Architects has a well-crafted business plan. Keeping to a professional staff of just under thirty (30), the firm positions itself as a ?boutique architect,? delivering custom services and tailor made design projects, while at the same time working on some of the largest and high profile multi-family and urban mixed use high rise projects in the State.
Larry Cohan, AIA, Principal, states, ?We are proud to be announcing this exciting news. This name change and having a new partner on board at this time are important events for the firm. It means that we are putting a stake in the longevity of the firm, and investing in the future.
By changing the name of the firm to BC Architects, we honor the tradition and heritage of the firm, yet welcome the next generation of responsive and insightful talent. For this talented architect, newly made partner, it means recognition of careful career stewardship, one that will provide great growth and leadership to the firm in the upcoming years. We applaud Ms. Jimenez? decision to accept this honor, and look forward to 2004 and many years beyond.?
For Vanessa Jimenez No Move was the Right Move
BC Architects has awarded this partnership to a long-term associate of the firm, Vanessa Jimenez. Vanessa Jimenez has been with BC Architects for nine years, working only with two former professors before joining the professional practice. Ms. Jimenez comments, ?Larry Cohan is a mentor, advisor, teacher and most importantly, a friend.?
Ms. Jimenez landmark project with the firm was Cap Ferrat in Naples for Gulf Bay Group of Companies. Maintaining a close degree of client contact for two years was key while progressing from Design Development through Working Drawings and into Construction Administration phases on the project. Ms. Jimenez now takes an active role in projects from the initial stages of the commission.
?While the client has usually chosen the site for their desired project,? Ms Jimenez states, ?we create studies as to how their ideas and program can be accommodated to the site. In only two to four weeks we have progressed with hand drawings, studies, colored and scanned schematic plans that actually show the footprint of the building, and all the major components?living units, parking and amenities. This arms the developer early on with valuable information, such as approximate square footage, number of units, approximate parking numbers and placement of pools and other amenities.
This statistical information allows the developer to work with their accounting, marketing and legal teams to verify project feasibility and return on investment.? Due diligence is the reason that BC Architects is known for getting projects developed and built successfully.
The BC Architects firm is qualified and experienced with community involvement and the approvals process. ?As the involvement that cities and communities have in the acceptance or rejection of projects grows, our ability to effectively deal with potential concerns and issues becomes paramount. Hearings can delay a project by 6 months or more and have a profound effect on the financial success of a project. It is up to us to take on any potential concerns and issues up front in order to ensure that everyone is happy?a successful project is successful for all involved, the community, the city, the developer, and of course, the end users.?
?What is interesting,? Ms. Jimenez continues, ?is that the old saying, ?no man is an island,? now extends to a developer?s project too. Not simply just for end users anymore, communities expect mutual amenities and features that the entire community can use--parking, cafes, possibly even dry cleaners or pharmacies that can be used by the public and that are within walking distance.
It is all about reducing the need for the automobile. For example, the project we are doing for Kolter Properties in downtown West Palm Beach, Two City Plaza, [the sister project to One City Plaza, will have Live/Work environments?an exciting new (old) concept that keeps cities alive after dark.?
When asked to comment on factors and trends driving developers today, Ms. Jimenez comments, ?City/urban projects have become extremely popular due to the otherwise long commutes. People are taking control of the quality of their life and refusing to spend their lives in their cars.?
When asked to name the top ?must have? luxury amenities in high-rise projects, Ms. Jimenez comments, ?think in terms of five star hotels. Picture those amenities and you?ve got it?everything from luxurious spas, restaurants, room service, full concierge services and decked out theatres.?
Her projects for the BC Architects include Ocean Point Beach Club, Sunny Isles; Two City Plaza, West Palm Beach; Diplomat Ocean Tower, Hollywood; and a restaurant called Nikki Marina, located at Diplomat Landing across from the Diplomat Hotel on the Intracoastal. A project by Penrod?s Management Group, ?the people behind Nikki Beach and Pearl, both in South Beach and very popular,? comments Vanessa. This highly anticipated project opened at the beginning of February, and rounds out Ms. Jimenez? significant hospitality and condominium experience.
When asked to name the features of the BC Architects firm most attractive to developers, Ms. Jimenez lists, ?we listen to the client, we cater to their needs, and we do not try to impose our desires onto them. We design for their specific project on that specific site. Many clients are repeat, and we have the great honor of getting referrals and recommendations. It might be a satisfied developer or an excellent general contractor that refers us?we have excellent relationships with the general contractors we work with.?
Ms. Jimenez engages in a lively discussion of leadership and management styles, obviously having given the matter of her promotion some thought. She defines leadership as, ?the ability to lead one?s followers toward a common goal,? but asserts that her methods of dealing with her team and co-workers will not change. She says that she does not pretend to know everything, a personality trait that actually endears her to staff. ?I love to listen to other options and solutions?the profession is still fun, still challenging, with never a dull moment.
It is all about quality control, and some things can never be compromised--life safety, accessibility, good detailing and good finishes.
She steers her team to the production of a good, tight set of drawings, and feels that the number one motivating factor for employees is, ?recognition. Undoubtedly. Give responsibility, trust and respect. That way the client is confident in you and knows you have a great team behind you.?
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BC Architects has created some of South Florida?s most distinctive architectural designs, and is annually responsible for providing services for projects with construction values in excess of 300 million dollars. Its award-winning portfolio includes luxury residential, retail and facilities design for some of the region?s most respected developers and corporations.
Brito, Cohan and Associates, now known as BC Architects, was recently listed in South Florida Business Journal?s Book of Lists as one of the State?s Largest Architectural Firms.
Projects include The Akoya for Meruelo Investments, Inc. The Akoya is a luxury 46 story high-rise tower condominium with 386 units on Collins Avenue on Miami Beach. With ocean and city views, Akoya is a study in beauty and elegance, with striking architecture, endless views of ocean and glittering city lights.
Presiding over one of south Florida?s most glorious beachfronts, Akoya offers homeowners one of the world?s most prestigious addresses. To the north and south multimillion-dollar high-rise residences. To the west fabled mansions overlooking the fairways of La Gorce and Indian Creek Country clubs. And in the distance downtown Miami?s majestic skyline reflected in the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay.
Other projects include One City Plaza, for Kolter Property Company. One City Plaza is a 15 story, 59,170 sq.ft. City Lofts and Suites Condominium tower with 296 units in the Downtown City of West Palm Beach, Florida, on Olive Avenue between Okeechobee Blvd. and Lakeview Ave; and Hammock Dunes Luxury Oceanfront Condominiums for Watermark Communities Inc. (WCI). Hammock Dunes is located on the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Coast, FL. This 12-story Mediterranean styled oceanfront luxury condominium is part of a master planned golf resort located on Flagler Beach.
The full service, architecture and planning firm provides a single source for clients seeking innovative solutions that are elegant, efficient and cost-effective. http://www.bcarchitects.com
Contact: Leslie McKerns McKerns Development Specializing in Press for the A/E Industry Publicist 561-479-3021 [email protected]
