Many things need to be considered when you decide to establish a business. Aside from the conceiving of the brand and hiring employees, you also need to think about the location and design of your establishment. These factors can cause a lot of headaches; hiring a commercial architect can keep those frustrations to a minimum.

If you’re thinking about starting a business in Upland, California our editorial team has compiled a list of the best commercial architects in town. These firms were chosen for their impressive portfolios, their experience, their expertise, and the outstanding customer service they consistently provide. They have designed numerous landmarks and remarkable spaces throughout the state that also capture each company’s identity.

Ware Malcomb

915 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Since 1972, Ware Malcomb has completed outstanding design projects throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The firm is endlessly creative in producing designs for commercial office, corporate, industrial, science and technology, healthcare, retail, automotive, and civic properties. Continuous learning is one of the values the firm fosters to further improve its extensive skillset and help create innovative and intelligent designs. In 2021, the firm took the 25th spot for Interior Design Magazine‘s Top Healthcare Giants and was 22nd on the ‘s list of Top Architecture Firms. Those are only two of Ware Malcomb’s long list of recognitions; they have consistently proven their architectural expertise for almost five decades.

The One Paseo in San Diego is among the firm’s notable projects, and it recently won the 2021 Best Mixed-use Project from the PCBC’s Gold Nugget Awards. Ware Malcomb provided the master planning and architectural design for the 96,000 square-foot project that consists of office, residential, and retail spaces. The team was also behind the 3-level parking, high-end tail building, and 12 single-story restaurants designed in the craftsman style. Wood frames and a neutral color palette were incorporated to make the merchandise and the tenants be the restaurant’s focal point.

Architecture Design Collaborative

23231 S Pointe Drive, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Established in 2014, Architecture Design Collaborative is a full-service planning and architectural firm specializing in retail, commercial, and residential projects. The firm is led by three principals —  Craig Chinn, Chris Weimhole, and Corey Demanty — with combined 75 years of planning experience and over 30 years of architectural experience. They have developed a way to offer their services nationwide by having a mobile design studio that allows them to perform local design work anywhere. This system also aided the firm to achieve multiple recognitions throughout the years, including being honorably mentioned in the 2020 VMSD Retail Renovation of the year, winning the 2020 and 2018 CID Commercial Tile Design, and getting three Lightning Designer of the Year awards from the 2017 LIT Design Awards.

The Upland Plaza is a 10,000-square-foot ground-up project that the firm designed. The team added a street-oriented multi-tenant retail center to the existing Upland town square with drive-thru access from Route 66. The development was completed while retaining visibility and access to the current tenants and further increased the frontage, leasable area, and overall parking count.

Brian R. Bloom Architect

350 S Milliken Avenue, Suite G, Ontario, CA 91761

Brian R. Bloom Architect was established in 1997 to provide architectural services in Southern California. It was founded by Brian R. Bloom, who has over 24 years of experience in the architectural field. Brian and his team value their working relationships with other engineers, contractors, and design professionals that helped them tailor their services that match the scale and complexity of the project. This further helped them achieve their mission to give outstanding customer service and proactively respond to client needs. The firm is committed to minimizing every project’s impact on the planet by having their in-house LEED AP’s and LEED consultants collaborate and create environmentally progressive designs.

Historical renovation is one of the firm’s areas of expertise. The team renovated the 113-year-old Carnegie Building in Pomona College located at Claremont, California. They restored the exterior, completely renovated its interior, and reconfigured the existing spaces. The team replaced all of the interior finishes, the addition of a new elevator, and updated the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical system. A new three-story building was also added to the site and was designed to match the original architecture of the historic building.

Epic Design Build Inc.

1232 Monte Vista Avenue, Suite #4, Upland, CA 91786

For over 19 years, Epic Design Build has provided quality architectural and construction services in Southern California. Maureen Cunningham and Jim Johnson founded the firm in 2002 and have over 60 years of combined experience in the industry. The firm specializes in custom homes, remodels, complex renovations, additions, and small-scale commercial structures. In 2017, Maureen received the Award of Excellence from the Claremont Architectural Commission for adding a beautiful office building (pictured) to the Claremont village. The firm guarantees that completed projects will be functional, highly appreciated by the clients, and will withstand the test of time.