Sales at Architectural Group International in 2002 amounted to just under $1.2 million -- not bad for a firm that was only about five years old. But consider what has happened since then: sales showed solid growth in 2003, but starting with 2004, revenue nearly doubled every year until reaching nearly $20 million in 2007.
That kind of exponential growth caused AGI to outgrow its former headquarters in the RiverCenter highrise on the Northern Kentucky riverfront and move into what was once a Sears store on West Seventh Street in Covington, Ky. That location has given the firm about twice as much office space as it had previously and room to keep growing. It also gave the firm a chance to showcase its expertise by renovating the old, vacant department store using environmentally friendly green building techniques.
Keeping its clients satsified and gaining repeat business has been a key to the rapid growth, the firm says. AGI specializes in retail projects for big-name clients such as Macy's Inc., where founder Harry Sparks worked before leaving to start his own architectural firm. It's developed a specialty in retail projects, working with home improvement giant Home Depot, Macy's and Bed Bath & Beyond. For Macy's, the firm has worked on store renovation and design at more than 300 locations. It has performed similar services at more than 90 Sunglass Hut locations. Its client list includes the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, providing design and documentation services for both. It has also worked on the renovation of the famed Tropicana casino.
AGI is a full-service architecture design firm, offering everything from master planning and feasibility studies to corporate identity programs and interior design. With that kind of flexibility and portfolio, it's likely that growth will be on the agenda for AGI for quite some time.
Writer: David Holthaus
Photographs courtesy of AGI