Irvine, California is well-known for its beautiful parks, friendly residents, low crime rate, and excellent educational system. With its population expected to grow further, this California city is bound to become an even more popular place to live and do business.

If you want to open a retail business in this lovely city, the list below includes the best contractors in the area. The firms were chosen based on history, reviews, and awards.

KTGY

17911 Von Karman Avenue, Suite #200, Irvine, CA 92614 

Under the leadership of architect and associate principal Michael Tseng, AIA, KTGY has been collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry to curate spaces that represent their brands. Aside from its architectural work, the firm also delivers interior design, planning and branding.

KTGY’s expertise in a multitude of industries is reflected in its portfolio. One of its designs is Town Center at Preserve located in Chino, Calif. Located at the heart of a new mixed-use master plan this new ground-up retail center serves to create a main-street atmosphere and provide opportunities for public gatherings such as farmers’ markets and movie nights. While the city wanted store entries facing main street to create an active street frontage, the client wanted entries fronting the parking to create convenience for the visitor. KTGY listened and worked collaboratively to deliver a design where the back of the buildings, along main street, have the appearance of being the “front” of the building, creatively disguising the utility rooms and access doors. This was accomplished by introducing faux storefronts with opaque glass, planter boxes and pedestrian benches. Drop-off locations along main street and interstitial plazas between the buildings facilitate pedestrian activity and reinforce the small town main street feel the city desired.

ShubinDonaldson Architects

32 Executive Park, Suite 115, Irvine, CA 92614

ShubinDonaldson is distinguished by its entrepreneurial orientation, camaraderie, and collegial support. It is a design and planning firm that serves homeowners in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange County, and surrounding areas. Its experts place a high value on creativity and adherence to a strict work ethic. It demonstrates its dedication to providing maximum value to its customers by developing what it does and putting money in cutting-edge innovation and the career progression of its team.

Since its inception, it has included more than fifty staff members, with headquarters in Culver City and satellite offices in Santa Barbara and Orange County. ShubinDonaldson’s works were featured by the press, including Live + Work, Masking, Residential Design Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, Interiors Magazine, Architectural Record, The Robb Report, The Real Deal, LUXE Magazine and Seaside Living.

NG+P Newman Garrison + Partners

3100 Bristol Street, Suite 400, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

NG+P Newman Garrison + Partners has affirmed its commitment to excellence in architecture, planning, and interior design through advancement and innovation for the past three decades. Their patent-protected “New Block” urban infill prototype is just one example of how the company has impacted the industry. NG+P, well-known in the multifamily, mixed-use, and affordable housing markets, has successfully expanded into the retail and hospitality industries, providing full-service design with a community and lifestyle-oriented approach.

The firm offers cost-effective design solutions that meet the economic needs of their clients in these various markets, resulting in a higher return on investment for the developers with whom they collaborate. Since its inception, the press has had its works featured in Los Angeles, Business Journal, Multi-Housing News, Commercial Property Executive, and Inspire Design.

MG2

3333 Michelson Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612

MG2 is a multinational architecture, design, strategy, and branding company. The firm creates innovative Community Environments, Consumer Experiences, and Client Programs by combining strategy and technical expertise. With offices in Seattle, Irvine, Minneapolis, New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanghai, MG2 is among the largest architecture firms in the country and one of the top retail design studios globally.

The firm is known for creating meaningful transformation through architectural services, planning, interior design, and brand strategy with an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. A partial list of past and current client partners includes Costco Wholesale, Target, Vans, Petco, Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret, Uniqlo, PCC, and Tommy Bahama.

© Describe The Fauna

Award-winning architect Justin A. Hill AIA, LEED AP heads MG2’s Irvine office and leads the Consumer Experience market. With more than 30 years in the profession, Justin is known for helping to elevate retail brands including luxury, specialty, and big-box, as well as F&B clients across the country. Learn more about the firm at www.mg2.com.

SCGWest Development – Development Made Simple.

18001 Sky Park Cir suite LM, Irvine, CA 92614

SCGWest Development, founded in 2012, manages all phases of project completion, beginning with initial location sourcing, due diligence, planning and design, and development management. This is accomplished through the use of a proprietary process that streamlines goal setting, design, construction, and the installation of furniture, fixtures, graphics, and equipment. It has offices in Newport Beach, Houston, and Scottsdale and serves clients nationwide.

SCGWest operates under managing partners Kyle Gorman and Brandon Lehman. Under their direction, the firm received honors such as the Best of 2019 Rancho Cucamonga, Construction Company, July 2019 Orange County Business Journal Top Tenant Improvement Contractors, and the August 2020 Orange County Business Journal Largest Tenant Improvement Contractors Award.

Avalon Architectural, Inc.

18006 Sky Park Circle, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92614

Avalon Architectural, Inc. is a boutique architectural design company headquartered in southern California, and it specializes in custom residential. It also has a background in a multitude of project types, including commercial, retail, private car showrooms, tenant improvements, hospitality, multi-family, and master planning. Most of the firm’s projects are found in California and Nevada, from the coast to the hills to the desert.

Thomas Charles Stewart is its principal architect, a graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in architecture. Since its founding in 2008, it has successfully served homeowners in Irvine and surrounding areas, delivering services that surpass their expectations. Avalon is a fellow of The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and has works featured by Luxe Magazine, Coast, California Homes, Orange Coast, and Space.

Robinson Hill Architecture, Inc.

3195 B Airport Loop Drive, Costa Mesa, Ca 92626

Robinson Hill Architecture, Inc., is based in Orange County and licensed to practice architecture in 22 states. Although focused on retail, restaurant, hospitality, they are inspired to create public spaces that can provide enriching experiences. They search for a unique project base to sustain their well-versed and creative staff. Their service-first business model is applied at all levels to every project. The design process is site and team specific without pre-conceived concepts, making each project dynamic and unique. This collaborative approach involves all team members, ensuring the best ideas are brought forth to enrich each project.

RHA has 36 years of commercial experience with a portfolio of local, regional, and international projects diverse in scale. Their growing success can be attributed to a passion for architecture and their investment in continuing client relationships.

GreenbergFarrow

30 Executive Park, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92614

GreenbergFarrow is a company specializing in architecture, engineering, planning, and land development. It has forty years of experience and twelve offices across the country and in Shanghai and Mexico. The firm has worked in nearly every state and thousands of cities. Because its specialists were engaged in every aspect of the highly specialized development services practice, they gained an unmatched level of knowledge and expertise.

Keith Johnston is its CEO and president, a business administration graduate of Monmouth University, and an architecture degree holder of Mercer County Community College. He is also the Past Project manager of The RBA Group. Under Keith’s leadership, GreenbergFarrow is composed of architects recognized by the American Institute of Architects and is National Green Building Council Certified. 

RDCollaborative

245 East Third St., Long Beach, CA 90802

RDCollaborative is a multi-award-winning retail design and retail architecture firm. With forty years of experience in retail design, the firm’s depth and professionalism in all facets of retail allow it to take appropriate measures when developing the retail experience. It has acquired vital client relationships and a thorough understanding of the sea changes that have historically influenced the retail industry during its history. Its experienced staff and industry longevity inform its approach, bringing seasoned thought leadership to drive retail trends.

RDC runs under the supervision of Brad Williams, who graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University. The firm has garnered several honors, including the 2018 AIA Long Beach/South Bay Design Award (Equinox Culver City) and The 2018 ICSC Design & Development Gold Award (Del Amo Fashion Center).

SMS Architects

18004 Sky Park Circle, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92614

SMS Architects is a full-service commercial architecture company specializing in retail, hospitality, recreation, and restaurant design. It is well-known for continuously delivering unique designs and technical knowledge, resulting in high-quality work. Its primary goal is to provide outstanding service at all times, and clients constantly respond by choosing to work with the firm on various projects.

SMS Architects is qualified to take on complex tasks because it possesses the analytical knowledge to understand each element as a separate building type or as part of a larger mixed-use project. It was awarded the Best Commercial Project in 2020, Best Rehabilitation Project in 2020, and the Gold Nugget Award of Merit in 2018. It is led by principal architect Greg Simonoff, and its members are also members of the American Institute of Architects, the US Green Building Council, and LEED-certified professionals.

Mcg Architecture

15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 100, Irvine CA 92618

MCG Architecture’s team of experts devotes their professional careers to uncovering design solutions. In retail, hospitality, commercial, entertainment, and urban revitalization projects, it blends innovative design, advanced technology, and unique personal service. Kevin James serves as president/CEO, and Scott Hoffland serves as chairman of the board.

MCG has a nationwide staff of professional architects, designers, and planners, having been in business for over ninety years. Because of its diversified office locations and forty-nine-state licensing, the firm is close to projects and clients throughout the United States and Canada. With years of experience, it was named the Most Intelligent Building Project in the Mixed-Use Category at the IBcon Commercial Real Estate Conference and Expo in Nashville, Tennessee in 2019.

SDA Partnership USA

3161 Michelson Drive, Unit 420, Irvine, CA 92612

SDA Architects and Designers is a full-service architecture and design firm that specializes in retail branding and project management.  It was founded in 1994 with the goal of meeting and exceeding the expectations of each client. With local experience in executing both national corporate programs and individual retailer projects, it is committed to providing exceptional levels of customer service and meticulous attention to detail required for success.

Its team’s ability to balance corporate brand and individual retailer project needs enable it to create and execute cutting-edge, value-engineered design solutions that have propelled the company to the forefront of its industry. SDA is led by Andrew Wilks and is recognized by The US Green Building Council.

Carlile Coatsworth Architects

18600 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612  

Carlile Coatsworth Architects is an architectural design and consulting firm in Orange County. It is known to be the leader in architectural design across multiple industries. With over 150 years of extensive experience, the company has produced a practice of architects focused on solving design and architecture problems to optimize each client’s investment.

It is a twenty-person architecture firm with six licensed architects and a wide range of project experience. Its Orange County clients’ projects include Industrial, Automotive, Retail, and Food Services. Calvin J. Coatsworth, the firm’s principal architect, is a California Polytechnic State University graduate. Under Calvin’s supervision, the firm is a member of the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties and the American Institute of Architects.