Scott’s Addition draws in more architects

Marks, Thomas architects opened the 3412 W. Leigh St. in Scott’s Addition in May. (Michael Thompson)

For its first office outside of its home state of Maryland, a Baltimore-based architecture firm has set up shop in Richmond.

Tom Liebel. (Courtesy of Marks, Thomas)

Marks, Thomas Architects opened an office at 3412 W. Leigh St. in Scott’s Addition in May. Tom Liebel, a Marks, Thomas principal, said the 49-year-old company is subleasing access to a new coworking space provided by Fultz & Singh Architects.

Liebel owns Marks, Thomas along with four other principals based out of Baltimore. He said recent growth led the firm to open its first satellite office in Richmond. The company has more than 40 employees.

“We felt that Richmond had a lot of common traits with Baltimore,” Liebel said referring to the two cities’ historic architecture and post-industrial economies. “There’s traction there where it hasn’t been before.”

Liebel said Marks, Thomas does mostly multifamily housing design, along with senior living communities, student housing, and other projects.

Kate Bowers. (Courtesy of Marks, Thomas)

Marks, Thomas has done work in Virginia but not in Richmond. The firm tapped Kate Bowers from its Baltimore office to lead its charge into the Richmond market as the company looks to land its first job in the city. Bowers, still based in Baltimore, has been with Marks, Thomas since 2015. She said the firm is in talks with local developers and has proposals out.

“We wanted to take the time to really learn more about Richmond,” Bowers said, adding Marks, Thomas helped organize a monthly happy hour at Ardent Craft Ales. “The challenge is always getting to know the community.”

Marks, Thomas joins a growing number of out-of-town architecture firms angling for business in Richmond. Forrest Fraizer | Architecture recently set up shop in Richmond, and Washington, D.C.-based Hickok Cole opened an outpost in Gather’s Scott’s Addition location.