Riverside, like many American cities, is full of retail stores, restaurants, and shopping centers. These businesses have their own unique branding and image showcased in their designs and structure. Some have a more traditional look and use classic materials; others may have a more modern appeal and more vibrant finishes.

When considering updating or establishing a business in a place like Riverside, you want the best commercial architects to work side by side with you. These firms should be flexible in their services, diverse in their designs, and well-experienced with budgeting and scheduling. Our editors created this list of the top five best commercial architects after looking into each firm’s portfolio, experience, and process.  

DLR Group

1650 Spruce Street, Suite 300, Riverside, CA 92507

DLR Group’s primary goal is to elevate projects through intricate design methods. These designs come from different techniques that include sustainability to reduce costs and maximize the value the client has. The firm’s portfolio includes projects in the energy, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use sectors. All these projects advocate the team’s use of sustainable design and features that result in a high-performing, durable establishment. Pictured below is one of the firm’s most notable projects, the Adams County Human Services Center. The service center was in need of an addition. A 4,000-square-foot atrium expansion was the result of the project that included a grand staircase, wide eaves, and numerous windows. In addition, a consistent fenestration pattern unifies the building’s structure, opening up public spaces. The result is a 50-year-old building transformed into a modern designed workplace with contemporary features.  

Architects Orange

144 N. Orange Street, Orange, CA 92866

Pictured below is the Spectrum on Haven project—it received an exterior and interior remodel for a two-story building. The firm converted existing classrooms into a 60,000-square-foot grey shell for future Class “A” office space. The lobby also received a revamped design with porcelain tile flooring and ceilings. The floorplan also received new features such as glass railings and included two passenger elevators. Separate entrances are also present to give access to the building from the rear end. Thanks to the quality the Architects Orange team provides, it has made numerous connections with developers and various brands. Its four decades of experience have equipped the staff with extensive knowledge of various methods and they are always looking into new innovations. As a result, its projects minimize risk and reduce the negative impact construction may have on the environment. 

Broeske Architects & Associates, Inc

4344 Latham Street, Suite 100, Riverside, CA 92501

Broeske Architects & Associates has been in the business for 16 years, with Jim Broeske leading the firm. His four decades of experience have led to numerous completed projects featuring sustainable components geared towards long-term environmental sustainability. This process provides its clients with an efficient and practical space that promotes a healthy environment for the establishment itself and the surrounding areas. The firm is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). 

Pictured below is the BMW showroom in Riverside, featuring a size of 44,000 square feet at a price of five million dollars. The firm’s emphasis for this project was to match BMW’s branding of a high-tech driving machine. This resulted in the use of cantilevered planes of translucent panels, blue-tinted glass, and double pane glass, accommodating thermal and acoustic insulation. Aside from the technical, structural design of the complex, the showroom intricately manages the cars on display to properly showcase the new models the company has. The result is a refined showroom featuring the latest technology with a solid structural foundation.