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Architects of Ambition

A comprehensive exploration of Ellerbe Becket's enduring legacy in architecture, engineering, and design, shaping skylines and institutions across the globe.

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About Ellerbe Becket

A Legacy in Design

Ellerbe Becket was a prominent American architectural, engineering, interior design, and construction firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For over a century, it stood as a significant force in shaping the built environment, known for its diverse portfolio ranging from major civic institutions to specialized healthcare facilities and iconic sports venues.

Origins and Evolution

Founded as Ellerbe & Co. in 1909 by Franklin Ellerbe, the firm initially served esteemed clients such as the Mayo Clinic and 3M. Under the leadership of Thomas Ellerbe, it grew and eventually transitioned into an employee-owned company. A pivotal moment occurred in 1988 with its merger with Welton Becket and Associates, forming the entity known as Ellerbe Becket, which continued its trajectory of innovation and expansion until its acquisition by AECOM in 2009.

Historical Trajectory

From Foundation to Firmament

The firm's journey began in 1909 when Franklin Ellerbe established Ellerbe & Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota. Early commissions included significant work for the Mayo Clinic and 3M, laying the groundwork for future growth. Upon Franklin's passing, his son Thomas Ellerbe took the helm in 1921, guiding the company for decades. Upon his retirement in 1966, the firm transitioned to an employee-owned structure, fostering a culture of shared commitment.

  • 1909: Franklin Ellerbe founds Ellerbe & Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • 1921: Thomas Ellerbe assumes leadership of the firm.
  • 1966: The company becomes employee-owned upon Thomas Ellerbe's retirement.
  • 1988: Merger with Welton Becket and Associates of Los Angeles creates Ellerbe Becket. A sports design division is established in Kansas City.
  • 2009: Ellerbe Becket is acquired by AECOM, integrating its expertise into a larger global firm.

Core Services

Architecture

Ellerbe Becket provided comprehensive architectural design services, focusing on creating functional, aesthetically pleasing, and contextually appropriate spaces for a wide array of project types.

Engineering

The firm integrated robust engineering solutions, encompassing structural, mechanical, and electrical systems to ensure the integrity, efficiency, and sustainability of its designs.

Interior Design

Expertise in interior design allowed Ellerbe Becket to craft cohesive and inspiring environments, paying meticulous attention to detail, materials, and user experience within architectural spaces.

Planning & Construction

Beyond design, the firm offered strategic planning services and construction management, providing end-to-end project delivery solutions that ensured successful execution from concept to completion.

Notable Projects

Civic & Commercial Landmarks

Ellerbe Becket's portfolio includes significant public and commercial structures that have become integral parts of their respective cities and institutions.

  • Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, D.C.
  • Carlson School of Management โ€“ University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  • Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Target Plaza South and North, Minneapolis, MN
  • Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
  • Brasil Telecom Data Center, Brasรญlia, Brazil
  • Charles Evans Whittaker Federal Courthouse, Kansas City, MO
  • Hesburgh Library (1963), University of Notre Dame
  • O'Shaughnessy Hall (1953), North Dining Hall (1957), Keenan Hall and Stanford Hall (1957), Stepan Center (1962), Lewis Hall (1965), Galvin Life Science (1967), Grace and Flanner Halls (1969), Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering (1974), Snite Museum of Art (1980), Pasquerilla West Hall (1980), Pasquerilla East Hall (1981), Stepan Chemistry Hall (1982), Decio Faculty Hall (1984), Siegfried Hall (1988), Knott Hall (1988), Pasquerilla Center (1990), Ricci Band Building (1990), Hesburgh Center for International Studies (1991), DeBartolo Hall (1992), Mendoza College of Business (1996), O'Neill Hall (1996), Keough Hall (1996), McGlinn Hall (1997), Welsh Family Hall (1997) at the University of Notre Dame.

Advancing Healthcare Facilities

The firm has a distinguished history in designing healthcare institutions, contributing to advancements in medical facilities and patient care environments.

  • Yonsei University Medical Center โ€“ Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • Khalifa Sport City โ€“ Orthopedic Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar (now Aspetar)
  • Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Institute, Orlando, FL
  • Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
  • Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
  • Plummer Building, Rochester, MN (recognized on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD
  • St. Luke's Hospital Nassif Heart Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, OH
  • Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Lexington, VA
  • Gonda Building, Rochester, MN
  • Regions Hospital (2009 expansion & cafeteria renovation), St. Paul, MN
  • Mercy Clinic and Hospital (expansion 1950s), Oskaloosa, Iowa

Residential Architecture

Ellerbe Becket's residential portfolio, particularly in Rochester, Minnesota, showcases a deep connection to the community and its early patrons, resulting in architecturally significant homes.

  • Plummer House, Rochester, MN (recognized on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Pill Hill Residential Historic District, Rochester, MN (approximately 30 homes, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Dr. William J. Mayo House, Rochester, MN (recognized on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • Dr. Donald C. Balfour House, Rochester, MN (recognized on the National Register of Historic Places)

Sports & Entertainment Venues

The firm's Kansas City sports venue branch was instrumental in designing numerous iconic stadiums and arenas that have hosted major sporting events and concerts.

Stadiums

  • Notre Dame Stadium (and renovation), Notre Dame, IN
  • Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
  • Centennial Olympic Stadium/Turner Field (now Georgia State Stadium), Atlanta, GA
  • Faurot Field (renovation), Columbia, MO
  • Guangdong Olympic Stadium, Guangzhou, China
  • Lambeau Field (renovation), Green Bay, WI
  • Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
  • Rhodes Stadium, Elon, NC
  • Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
  • Autzen Stadium (renovation), Eugene, OR
  • S.B. Ballard Stadium (formerly Foreman Field), (renovation), Norfolk, VA
  • Sam Boyd Stadium (renovation), Las Vegas, NV
  • Johnny Unitas Stadium (renovation), Towson, MD
  • Innovative Field (formerly Frontier Field), Rochester, NY
  • O'Shaughnessy Stadium, Saint Paul, MN

Arenas

  • Frost Bank Center (formerly SBC Center and AT&T Center), San Antonio, TX
  • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
  • Amerant Bank Arena (formerly Office Depot Center, BB&T Center, etc.), Sunrise, FL
  • Amica Mutual Pavilion (formerly Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence Civic Center), Providence, RI
  • FedExForum, Memphis, TN
  • Gainbridge Fieldhouse (formerly Conseco Fieldhouse, Bankers Life Fieldhouse), Indianapolis, IN
  • Great Southern Bank Arena (formerly JQH Arena), Springfield, MO
  • John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
  • Joyce Center (formerly Athletic & Convocation Center), Notre Dame, IN
  • KeyBank Center (formerly First Niagara Center, HSBC Arena), Buffalo, NY
  • Rudolf Weber-Arena (formerly Arena Oberhausen), Oberhausen, Germany
  • Madison Square Garden (1990s renovation), New York City, NY
  • Manchester Arena (formerly Manchester Evening News Arena), Manchester, England
  • Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, OR
  • Moda Center (formerly Rose Garden), Portland, OR
  • Rocket Arena (formerly Gund Arena, Quicken Loans Arena), Cleveland, OH
  • Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
  • Enterprise Center (formerly Scottrade Center, Savvis Center), St. Louis, MO
  • Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane, WA
  • T-Mobile Center (formerly Sprint Center), Kansas City, MO
  • Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay Times Forum), Tampa, FL
  • Vibrant Arena at The MARK (formerly The MARK of the Quad Cities, i Wireless Center), Moline, Illinois
  • Mortgage Matchup Center (formerly PHX Arena, Footprint Center), Phoenix, AZ
  • TD Garden (formerly FleetCenter), Boston, MA
  • Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, NV
  • Capital One Arena (formerly MCI Center, Verizon Center), Washington, D.C.
  • Xfinity Mobile Arena (formerly Wachovia Center, Wells Fargo Center), Philadelphia, PA
  • XFINITY Center (formerly Comcast Center), College Park, MD

Global Footprint

Extensive Presence

Ellerbe Becket's influence extended far beyond its Minneapolis headquarters. The firm's projects spanned all 50 states within the United States and reached across 20 countries globally, demonstrating a remarkable capacity for international design and construction.

Key Locations

While headquartered in Minneapolis, the firm maintained significant operational presence and project involvement in key locations such as Dallas, Kansas City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Dubai, and Doha, underscoring its global reach and diverse project management capabilities.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Ellerbe Becket Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional architectural or design advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment from qualified architects, engineers, or construction professionals. Always consult with licensed professionals for any specific project needs or concerns. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of information found on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.