The S/L/A/M Collaborative Acquires Five Heery Architectural Design Practices from CBRE

SOURCE: The S/L/A/M Collaborative

Acquisition increases SLAM’s size, functional expertise and geographic footprint; solidifies position as national leader

Glastonbury, Conn., [March 10, 2020] – The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM), a leading national architectural firm, announced today the strategic acquisition of five CBRE I Heery architectural design practices focused on healthcare, sports facilities and justice, which will be known as Heery Design, a SLAM Studio. 

CBRE, which acquired Heery in 2017, will retain full ownership of the Heery interior design and engineering businesses, which are an integral part of the company’s project management services offering. 

SLAM is nationally known for its design of healthcare, education, corporate and sports facilities, including groundbreaking work for leaders like the University of Notre Dame, United Technologies, Pfizer and Johns Hopkins Hospital & University. The firm offers integrated landscape architecture, structural engineering, interior design and construction services with offices in Connecticut; New York; Atlanta; Boston and Los Angeles. 

Approximately 70 Heery employees will join SLAM’s team of 210 professionals. The transaction includes the CBRE I Heery healthcare design practices in Denver, Iowa City and Philadelphia, the justice design practice in Orlando, and the sports design practice in Atlanta. The agreement also includes the stand-alone Heery Design offices associated with these practices, as well as the respective architectural book of business. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

“When the chance to acquire these five Heery offices first arose early last year, we were still in the initial phases of our integration with Frank Webb Architects. But this opportunity was too good to pass up,” said Robert F. Pulito, AIA, President, SLAM. “Adding Heery Design professionals to our team of talented and diverse professionals, enhances our deep expertise in critical segments of the market and doubles our number of offices – all in one move.” 

“Heery has grown and changed a great deal since its founding back in the 1950s, but the professionals joining SLAM in this transaction are returning to a traditional design firm that values creativity, and is passionate about design,” said Richard T. Connell, FAIA, Chairman, SLAM. “We couldn’t be happier to have the professionals from Heery join the SLAM family. We are both known for passion, creativity and expertise, and have a legacy of delivering inspired design and long-term value to our partners and customers.” 

The acquisition, which was finalized on March 6, 2020, is expected to deliver immediate benefits for current clients. 

The Heery Design Managing Directors, Russ Sedmak (Denver), Mike Holleman (Atlanta) and Douglas Kleppin, AIA LEED AP (Orlando), who have joined SLAM, said: “Among the Heery Design team, there is a real sense of excitement and positivity about the future. SLAM is well known in the industry for creative design and big thinking. We have always had a philosophy and an attitude focused on doing what’s right for our clients. SLAM shares our passion for design, and we are excited to join a team so focused on innovation, collaboration and integrity. This combination will be a great thing for our existing and future customers and employees.” 

Heery’s approach is highly aligned with SLAM’s infinite drive and expertise across disciplines to unlock and solve complex design problems that render creativity in design to enrich lives. The leaders of the acquired Heery Design practice areas will immediately begin collaborating with SLAM’s executive team and begin working together on existing and prospective clients. 

*** About SLAM 

The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) is a national, multi-disciplinary design firm offering architecture, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, site planning, structural engineering, pre-construction, with S/L/A/M Construction Services offered throughout the New England region. Our market focus is on higher education, K-12 public/private education, healthcare, corporate, justice, sports and recreation sectors. In 2020, SLAM launched a new brand that underscores our infinite drive to unlock and solve complex design problems renders creativity in design to enrich lives. SLAM has offices in Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Denver, CO, Glastonbury, CT, Iowa City, IA, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Orlando FL and Philadelphia, PA. For more information on SLAM please visit www.slamcoll.com