KTGY, an award-winning design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments and urban design, announced that it has acquired GDA Architects, a Dallas-based architectural firm specializing in high rise residential, hospitality and industrial design. The unification of the firms will bolster KTGY's presence in Texas and expand the firms' high rise portfolio, while giving GDA access to a national network of design experts. This acquisition continues the momentum of KTGY's growth trajectory.
"The acquisition of GDA was a natural fit and reinforces our promise of being - where design lives - from single family to high rise," said Tricia Esser, CEO, KTGY. "GDA's commitment to listening and partnering with their clients to deliver groundbreaking design is what first drew us to them. We were looking for a firm in Texas that shared our values and passion for design, we found that with GDA."
For over four decades, GDA has shaped the Texas skyline and transformed people's experiences. Founded in 1984 by Charles Gromatzky, the firm has built a reputation as a trusted partner, respected for their passion for exploration as well as their attention to aesthetics and environmental impact. Their impressive portfolio includes Museum Tower in Dallas, Confluence in Denver and Alexan Waterloo in Austin.
"We are thrilled to unite with KTGY," said Charles Gromatzky, Founder and Managing Partner at GDA. "Our combined high rise expertise, along with KTGY's interior designers and branding professionals, will create new opportunities to offer fully integrated work for our clients in Texas and beyond."

Since opening their doors three decades ago, KTGY has been committed to innovative, design-driven solutions that elevate the role of built spaces in people's lives. What started as a California-based residential architecture practice, today has grown into a multidisciplinary firm representing a collective of architects, designers, branding professionals and planners - all guided by a mission to bring innovative design to all people and places. From single family communities to luxury hotels, KTGY's experts iterate with each design, bringing excitement and a fresh perspective to every opportunity, seeking insights that have helped them hone their process and create thriving environments.
The new Dallas Studio will be led by Principals, Glen Morgenweck and Ray Tse and Associate Principal Marc Sullivan. Glen, Ray and Marc will be supported by Charles Gromatzky, Principal, who will assist with the integration of the studio. Additionally, Charles will continue his business development efforts and begin to introduce GDA's clients to the KTGY team. Together, the leaders are committed to continue to partner with their clients and to discover the new possibilities ahead.
With this acquisition, KTGY will now have seven office locations coast to coast (Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland and Washington, D.C.) and 400 team members.
"We are committed to supporting Glen, Ray and Marc during the integration process to ensure success," said Esser, "and are excited about the opportunities ahead for not only our Dallas office but all offices to collaborate. By leveraging our diverse specialties, we elevate how we envision spaces for our clients and truly transform people's experiences."
Related Stories
MFPRO+ News | Sep 23, 2024
Minnesota bans cannabis smoking and vaping in multifamily housing units
Minnesota recently enacted a first-in-the-nation statewide ban on smoking and vaping cannabis in multifamily properties including in individual living units. The law has an exemption for those using marijuana for medical purposes.
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 12, 2024
White paper on office-to-residential conversions released by IAPMO
IAPMO has published a new white paper titled “Adaptive Reuse: Converting Offices to Multi-Residential Family,” a comprehensive analysis of addressing housing shortages through the conversion of office spaces into residential units.
MFPRO+ Research | Sep 11, 2024
Multifamily rents fall for first time in 6 months
Ending its six-month streak of growth, the average advertised multifamily rent fell by $1 in August 2024 to $1,741.
Legislation | Sep 9, 2024
Efforts to encourage more housing projects on California coast stall
A movement to encourage more housing projects along the California coast has stalled out in the California legislature. Earlier this year, lawmakers, with the backing of some housing activists, introduced a series of bills aimed at making it easier to build apartments and accessory dwelling units along California’s highly regulated coast.
MFPRO+ New Projects | Sep 5, 2024
Chicago's Coppia luxury multifamily high-rise features geometric figures on the façade
Coppia, a new high-rise luxury multifamily property in Chicago, features a distinctive façade with geometric features and resort-style amenities. The 19-story, 315,000-sf building has more than 24,000 sf of amenity space designed to extend resident’s living spaces. These areas offer places to work, socialize, exercise, and unwind.
Resiliency | Sep 3, 2024
Phius introduces retrofit standard for more resilient buildings
Phius recently released, REVIVE 2024, a retrofit standard for more resilient buildings. The standard focuses on resilience against grid outages by ensuring structures remain habitable for at least a week during extreme weather events.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 29, 2024
More than 1.2 billion sf of office space have strong potential for residential conversion
More than 1.2 billion sf of U.S. office space—14.8% of the nation’s total—have strong potential for conversion to residential use, according to real estate software and services firm Yardi. Yardi’s new Conversion Feasibility Index scores office buildings on their suitability for multifamily conversion.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 28, 2024
Cities in Washington State will offer tax breaks for office-to-residential conversions
A law passed earlier this year by the Washington State Legislature allows developers to defer sales and use taxes if they convert existing structures, including office buildings, into affordable housing.
Affordable Housing | Aug 27, 2024
Not gaining community support is key barrier to more affordable housing projects
In a recent survey, builders and planners cited difficulty in generating community support as a key challenge to getting more affordable housing projects built. The survey by coUrbanize found that 94% of respondents tried to gain community input and support through public meetings, but many were frustrated by low attendance. Few respondents thought the process was productive.
Mixed-Use | Aug 21, 2024
Adaptive reuse of a Sears store becomes luxury mixed-use housing
6 Corners Lofts at 4714 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, Ill., opened in March of 2024 as a 394,000-sf adaptive reuse project born out of a former Sears store.