One of the biggest challenges large brands face when conceptualizing their spaces is finding the best architect for realizing their vision and anticipating their needs. Each brand has distinctive requirements for its day-to-day activities and the company’s image. From outstanding collaborative spaces to unique conference rooms and cafeterias, this list showcases ten of El Paso’s best and leading commercial architects.

Our editorial team chose them for their experience, their stellar portfolios, and their award-winning work.

MNK Architects

330 Eubank Court, El Paso, TX 79902

Headquartered in El Paso, MNK Architects specializes in modern design and infuses sustainable techniques into its work. The firm’s team assists its clients throughout every phase and aspect of the process and commits itself to the highest standards. They have secured a solid reputation for the firm and can point to an impressive portfolio of completed projects. That work includes spaces in the government, civic, commercial, structural, healthcare, and religious sectors. The firm has won numerous awards, and it has been published in a variety of venues.

MNK Architects is the product of the vision of its talented principals. Renee Jimenez serves as its president and CEO. Edmund Castle, on the other hand, works as its principal engineer. Renee received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design from Texas A & M and is experienced in every facet of the architectural process. Edmund, on the other hand, holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University and is experienced in both engineering and architecture.

Root Architects

311 Montana Avenue, Suite A2-100, El Paso, TX 79902

Root Architects offers a complete and comprehensive range of architectural services. It is a boutique design firm that specializes in mixed-use commercial and residential projects. The firm has also worked on a variety of adaptive-reuse spaces and is the firm behind some of the best and most recognizable structures in historic buildings in and around Downtown El Paso. Root has been in business since 2010 and draws inspiration from its team’s collective experience of over four decades. Composed of a talented group of eight professionals and two architects, the company has worked on an extensive variety of project types, from educational and adaptive reuse work to extensive commercial spaces.

The firm often employs the latest Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology. It also uses the best 3D construction documentation models. Since the firm’s inception, it has won various awards. Most recently, it was named by El Paso Inc. Magazine as one of the area’s best local architects. One big factor that sets them apart is that they engage in Design-Build projects both hired by other contractors. But more recently, they are conducting Architect-led design builds and acting as General Contractors on a few projects. Featured here is the Working Capitol. This project is a shared workplace steps from El Paso’s downtown. The design focuses on bespoke amenities, integrated technology solutions, and the overall experience to help local businesses both in and out of town excel and better focus on their clients as well as grow their business network. It is housed in one of El Paso’s most recognizable downtown buildings: the El Paso Imports Building, formerly a Hudson dealership with a 100-year-old building façade.

PSRBB Commercial Group

1810 Wyoming, El Paso, TX 79903

The PSRBB has been operating since 2005 and is licensed to practice in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah, Idaho, and Colorado. Operating out of its office in El Paso, the firm is composed of an excellent team of architects, drafters, 3D designers, and industry experts. It also maintains affiliations with various vital industry organizations. Those organizations include the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the US Green Building Council. Since its establishment, PSRBB has won various industry distinctions. Most recently, it won an AIA Design Citation. 

The project above was completed for Wing Daddy’s and is one of the firm’s best pieces of retail work. It spans over 3,008 square feet and is located in the heart of El Paso.

EXIGO

211 N Florence, Suite 204, El Paso, TX 79901

EXIGO offers its clients a full range of architectural services and operates out of its office in El Paso. It can take on projects regardless of size or scale and its portfolio includes a variety of commercial, k-12 education, higher education, interiors, planning, multi-family, civic, and mixed-use spaces. The firm has also taken on various community projects, allowing it to work on several centers. Since its inception, the firm has won several awards from organizations like the AIA.

Completed for GECU, the featured project is located in El Paso. It spans 82,000 square feet and was finished in 2009. The project has become a landmark for the city and showcases three floors, including a basement with vaults and recording facilities. The firm’s team also designed a reception area, a training room, and a kitchen.

Parkhill

501 W San Antonio Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901

Founded in 1945, Parkhill is composed of over 450 employees and operates out of 14 offices in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. It is a multidisciplinary firm with an excellent portfolio. Parkhill has completed work for brands in a variety of markets, including the government, commercial and institutional sectors – including K-12 education, higher education, public works, environmental, infrastructure, transportation, aviation, healthcare, and community projects. The firm’s professionals are talented and experienced in every phase of the process, empowering the firm to create excellent designs. The firm is the recipient of a multitude of accolades. Most recently, it was distinguished with a Gold Medal during the 2021 Engineering Excellence Awards by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas.

The project above is an excellent example of the firm’s work. Camp Cohen Waterpark is in El Paso and is one of three water parks recently designed by Parkhill for the City of El Paso. This project is camp-themed and was designed as a part of an effort to revitalize the Cohen area.

FOKUS on Architecture

5788 North Mesa Street, El Paso, TX 79912

Established in 2004, FOKUS offers a full range of architectural design and construction. It can work on projects big or small and oversees everything, including site and building design, space planning, interior design, and project management. The FOKUS team also handles working on construction documents, specification writing, and product research. The firm is led by its founder, Eckhard K. Fennig, an experienced architect who has had the honor of practicing at architecture firms in Chicago and throughout Texas. Our editorial team was impressed by its portfolio, which includes a variety of municipal, healthcare, commercial, and industrial work. Its team has also worked on several institutional, restaurant, hospitality, and multi-family spaces. 

FOKUS is also well-respected for its incorporation of accessibility features and excellent interiors. Its work can best be seen in the project above. Completed for ARCADIS, this project is located in El Paso and was finished back in January 2020.

LoyaWilke Architects

221 N Kansas Street, Suite 820, El Paso, TX 79901

LoyaWilke takes a highly collaborative approach as it extends its services throughout El Paso. The firm is the product of the vision of its founders, Al Loya and Dana Wilke. They are both active members of the AIA and oversee each and every aspect of the process. Prior to establishing the firm, Loya owned Dimensions Architects, a  successful El Paso firm. Wilke, on the other hand, was the managing partner of PhiloWilke Partnership, a firm that specialized in healthcare, science, and technology projects. Now, they have worked on a variety of unique and excellent projects at LoyaWilke. The firm can take on projects regardless of size or scale and it has provided a variety of renovations and interior updates.

The firm is known for its mastery of the design-build approach. That approach makes it easier for clients who don’t have the time to source subcontractors and additional professionals. Uniquely, its clients can also oversee each aspect of their new project through the company’s custom software: it allows them to monitor construction and design documents.

LIEV ARCH

310 N Mesa Street, Suite 830, Cortez Building, El Paso, TX 79901

LIEV ARCH is composed of a talented team of architects, engineers, and design professionals. It is based in El Paso and San Antonio and extends its services throughout Texas and New Mexico. The firm has successfully created global and multicultural solutions for an extensive range of projects. LIEV ARCH takes the time to get to know a client better—to understand their needs and use only the best and latest techniques. The firm takes great pride in the numerous excellent reviews it has garnered through the years, and our editorial team was quite impressed by its portfolio.

Completed for Craft Social, the featured LIEV ARCH project was finished in 2013. It challenged the firm’s team with its extensive tenant improvements and sits in an old 1920s building in downtown El Paso. The space features a small kitchen, a bar, and a quaint seating area.

Wright & Dalbin Architects

2112 Murchison Drive, El Paso, TX 79930

Since its establishment in 1986, Wright & Dalbin has grown into becoming one of El Paso’s premier firms. It provides a full array of architectural services and has completed work for both the public and private sectors. The firm’s team is experienced in every phase of the process and is particularly well-respected for its planning, design, construction management, and project management. Its portfolio includes projects from the commercial, residential, multi-family housing, educational, and land development sectors. Our editorial team was especially impressed by its sustainability efforts, which in turn, have resulted in a number of high-performance buildings.   

The Hotel Paso Del Norte is one of the area’s most historic and architecturally significant buildings. The structure was designed by renowned architect Henry C. Trost. For this space, the firm’s team worked on designing a cigar club, a flower and gift shop, and a coffee bar.

GA Architecture

1000 Yandell Drive, El Paso, TX 79902

With nearly two decades of industry experience, GA Architecture operates out of its office in El Paso and provides its clients experience in both architecture and interior design. The firm is well-known for its excellent master planning, collaborative designs, and construction administration. We were also impressed by its comprehensive and detailed overseeing of construction documents and its management techniques. The firm’s portfolio includes a range of office buildings, libraries, tenant improvements, renovation projects, educational buildings, administrative offices, childcare facilities, multi-purpose centers, sports facilities, Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, GSA, and all major Utility Companies

The firm is personally overseen by its principal, Gerry Gutierrez. He has over three decades of industry experience and is experienced in the fields of architecture, interior design, and planning. Under his leadership, the firm’s team takes a design approach that emphasizes innovation.