Top 5 Reasons to Hire a National Retail Architect

If you are in the retail business and are gearing up for a roll out across states, regions, or across the entire country, you will want to consider hiring a national retail architect. There are many benefits to selecting a firm that specializes in this area, below are just a few:

Starbucks Coffee Company

1. Benefit of Nationwide Licensure
   An architecture firm with licenses that stretch across the country can follow your company as it expands into new territories. A new territory can also mean new challenges; why not bring someone familiar with you such as your architect to help sort out any unique building code requirements, zoning issues, or permit processes? When you hire a national retail architect, chances are they have either done work in the jurisdiction before or they have encountered similar issues elsewhere and have the knowledge base to resolve any issues to keep your project moving forward.
   JL Architects is NCARB certified, and licensed in 35 states with more to follow. If your company decides to break into a state in which we aren't licensed, we'll get one!
2. Continuity and Economies of Scale
   In architecture, as in most industries, there is a learning curve with every new client. If you are using a different architect for each project, that learning curve is going to be priced into the architect's fee. With a national retail architect, the learning curve is diminished. They can hit the ground running because they already know what your typical retail location requires, and what must be in the drawing set. Using an architect repeatedly can significantly shorten the time it takes to produce complete, correct, and buildable construction drawings.
3. Adaptability
   As a prototype changes, the learning curve is shorter with a national retail architect. Whether your store layout is evolving or it is time to refresh or overhaul your brand, your national retail architect will at least have a baseline, and an understanding of your business.  From our experience at JL Architects, we get to know your needs, fully understand your company requirements,  anticipate roadblocks, and offer suggestions. Your architect should have the expertise to provide you with creative design solutions when you inevitably come across the irregularly shaped tenant space that does not jive with your prototypical layout.
4. Schedule Driven
   You, as a retailer, thrive on sales days. A national retail architect is cognizant of that and will do everything in their power to help you meet your opening date. This means benefitting from the diminished learning curve mentioned above. Also, much time can be saved when reviews (landlord, building, zoning, health) can be completed concurrently. Our permit coordinator works diligently to find out review requirements upfront to identify time-saving opportunities to further ensure that that your project will be on schedule.
5. Proven Success
   A true national retail architect will have a portfolio of successful, household clients. JL Architects, for example, has done over 700 Starbucks Coffee locations across the United States. In less than one year, we began a relationship with Family Dollar and completed drawings for over 50 locations ranging from New York to West Virginia, west of Pittsburgh, and we will be working in more of their southeastern footprint very soon.



  

When it comes to architecture firms, there are many options but few have a nationwide footprint, and are retail roll out specialists. Rarer yet are firms that take the time to learn your brand, value your sales days as much you do, and deliver the highest level of quality in their drawings. JL Architects is one of those firms. If you are interested in learning more about what being a national retail architect and roll out specialist means to us, just ask!

 
-James A. Stedman IV, LEED AP BD+C

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