What Nelsen Partners does

Nelsen Partners is an architecture and planning firm founded in 1990 by Brad Nelsen, headquartered in Austin, Texas with a regional office in Scottsdale, Arizona. The firm employs more than 70 professionals and provides architectural design, master planning, interior design, and urban planning services across mixed-use developments, retail centers, office buildings, residential towers, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and adaptive reuse projects. Its client base is concentrated among enterprise-grade real estate developers (Endeavor Real Estate Group, Related Companies, Glimcher/WPG, Nshama, Fenix Development, Hawkins Companies), hospitality operators (Hyatt, Five Star Development, OP West Partners), national retail and restaurant brands (Restoration Hardware, Fox Restaurant Concepts), and government entities such as the Housing Authority of the City of Austin.

The firm operates as a project-based professional services practice, with revenue generated through fee-based architectural engagements rather than product or licensing revenue. Pricing is determined per project based on scope, complexity, and duration, and is not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market relies on direct enterprise engagement with developers, corporations, and government entities, supplemented by industry relationships through ULI, AIA, ICSC, and NAIOP, plus a portfolio-driven website and social media presence. The firm has executed more than 50 million square feet of built work across the United States and internationally, including projects in the UAE (Town Square Dubai, 31M SF for Nshama), Bahrain, and Morocco (Tanja Waterfront).

The underlying "technology" is professional design expertise rather than a software platform or proprietary product. The firm integrates master planning, entitlements support, design guidelines, sustainable design (LEED, AEGB, WELL), and adaptive reuse into a unified practice. It has also moved into construction-technology-adjacent work via its role as Architect of Record on El Cosmico in Marfa, TX, a 3D-printed hotel being delivered in partnership with ICON and BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group. The firm is partner-owned and privately held, with Brad Nelsen (President), George Melara (VP / Scottsdale Managing Director), and Sandra Saldaña (VP Finance & HR) among the named principals; Phil Crisara and Erston Senger were added as partners in 2006 alongside the rebranding from Nelsen Architects to Nelsen Partners.

Name

Nelsen Partners

Legal name

Nelsen Partners

Website

https://nelsenpartners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nelsen Partners is an architecture and planning firm founded in 1990 that provides master planning, architectural design, interior design, and urban planning services for enterprise real estate developers, hospitality operators, retail/restaurant brands, and public-sector clients across the U.S. Sun Belt and select international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Professional fee-based services including architectural design, master planning, interior design, and urban planning for commercial real estate developments. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts for design services on mixed-use, retail, office, residential, hospitality, and entertainment projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nelsen Partners is an architecture and planning firm that provides professional architectural design, master planning, urban design, and interior architecture services for commercial real estate developments. The firm's offerings span the full project lifecycle from initial master planning and entitlements through construction administration, with particular depth in large-scale mixed-use developments, hotels and resorts, retail centers, residential towers, office buildings, and adaptive reuse/historic renovation projects.

Product overview

Nelsen Partners is an architecture and planning firm (not a software/technology product company) that provides architectural design, master planning, interiors, and urban design services. The firm does not offer discrete software products, modules, or technology platforms. Their service offering consists of professional consulting services delivered across project types including mixed-use developments, retail centers, office buildings, residential towers, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and renovation/adaptive reuse projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Full-scope architectural design services for mixed-use developments, retail centers, office buildings, residential towers, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Includes programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration phases.
• Master Planning Services Master planning services for large-scale and master-planned communities, including land-use planning, entitlements strategy, design guidelines, phasing, and developer master plans spanning hundreds of acres and millions of square feet (e.g., The Domain 176 acres / 7.5M SF, Town Square Dubai 750 acres / 31M SF).
• Urban Design Services Urban design services including place-making, public realm design, design guidelines, and streetscape/landscape integration for mixed-use districts, downtowns, and master-planned developments.
• Interior Architecture and Design Interior architecture and design services for hospitality, retail, restaurant, office, and multifamily residential projects, executed by in-house interior design teams across the Austin and Scottsdale studios.
• Adaptive Reuse and Historic Renovation Services Specialized adaptive reuse and historic renovation services that transform existing buildings (e.g., defunct retail, historic structures) into new uses, including creative office, mixed-use, hospitality, and residential programs while preserving historic character.
• Sustainable Design and Certification Consulting Sustainable design integration supporting LEED, AEGB, and WELL certification programs, including energy-efficient design, materials selection, and certification documentation as part of project deliverables.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 million square feet of designed and built work completed worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered key, supporting and flagship.

• Glimcher / WPGkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Nelsen Partners worked with Glimcher and WPG as developer/owner for Scottsdale Quarter, a 28-acre, 1.2M SF mixed-use development completed in phases from 2009-2020.
• Elkus Manfredi ArchitectssupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2006Elkus Manfredi Architects joined the CityNorth project team in 2006 to collaborate with Nelsen Partners on the design. Nelsen Partners created the master plan and served as Architect of Record for the entire development.
• Related CompanieskeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Nelsen Partners was retained by Related Companies and the Thomas J. Klutznick Company in 2003 to create a master plan and design for the 145-acre CityNorth development in Phoenix, AZ. Related Companies collaborated as co-developer on this 5.5 million square foot mixed-use city center project.
• Thomas J. Klutznick CompanykeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Jointly retained with Related Companies in 2003 to create the master plan and design for CityNorth, a 145-acre, 5.5M SF mixed-use development in Phoenix. The project was conceived as a city center with residential, office, retail, hotel and civic buildings.
• Restoration HardwarekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelsen Partners served as architect of record to develop multiple Restoration Hardware Galleries throughout the country, including locations in Scottsdale, AZ, Atlanta, GA, Leawood, KS, Seattle, WA, and Austin, TX. Also served as interior architect for the Cherry Creek gallery.
• Backen Gillam KroegersupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Backen Gillam Kroeger on various Restoration Hardware store designs in addition to Nelsen Partners' architectural services.
• Catellus DevelopmentkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelsen Partners provided architectural services for Novus Place, a 104,000 SF mixed-use district in Tempe, AZ developed by Catellus Development as part of the Novus Innovation Corridor.
• Fox Restaurant ConceptskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborations with Fox Restaurant Concepts on restaurant developments including The Henry (multiple locations), Blanco Cocina + Cantina, Flower Child, and North Italia at Novus Place.
• Cassco Development Co.keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCassco Development Co. partnered with Simon to develop The Shops at Clearfork, a 50-acre, 1.4M SF outdoor shopping destination in Fort Worth, TX. Nelsen Partners provided architectural services.
• SimonkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimon partnered with Cassco Development Co. on The Shops at Clearfork, anchored by Neiman Marcus. Nelsen Partners served as architect for this 50-acre, 1.4M SF retail development.
• OP West PartnerskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelsen Partners designed Senna House hotel (169 keys) for OP West Partners at the northeast corner of Camelback Road and N 75th Street in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• Aquila CommercialkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreserve at 620 - Nelsen Partners transformed a defunct Walmart Supercenter into a 226,329 SF creative workplace environment for client Aquila Commercial. Project won multiple awards for adaptive reuse.
• DMA Development Company, LLCkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMA Development Company collaborated on The Rebekah at RBJ, a mixed-use project redeveloping the historic Rebecca Baines Johnson senior apartment tower with 504 total units in Austin, TX.
• Southwest Strategies GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on The Rebekah at RBJ mixed-use development in Austin, TX alongside DMA Development Company and Momark Development.
• Momark DevelopmentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on The Rebekah at RBJ project, a 504-unit mixed-use development around the historic Rebecca Baines Johnson tower in Austin.
• Carleton Residential PropertieskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarleton Residential Properties collaborated with HACA on the Chalmers Courts redevelopment, a three-phase master planned redevelopment providing 394+ units of mixed-income affordable housing in East Austin.
• ICONflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with ICON on El Cosmico in Marfa, TX - the world's first 3D-printed hotel and private residences spanning 60+ acres. Nelsen Partners serves as Architect of Record, ICON provides construction technology.
• BIG-Bjarke Ingels GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIG-Bjarke Ingels Group serves as designer for El Cosmico 3D-printed hotel project in Marfa, TX. Nelsen Partners is Architect of Record providing technical expertise for this pioneering project.
• Liz LambertkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiz Lambert is the developer/client for El Cosmico 3D-printed hotel project in Marfa, TX. Nelsen Partners provides Architect of Record services for this visionary project.
• SkanlanKemperBard Companies, LLCkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkanlanKemperBard Companies engaged Nelsen Partners for 101 North renovation project - a 1976 US Bank building renovation in Phoenix, AZ (4,100 SF).
• Schlosser Development CompanykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchlosser Development Company developed 1111 W. 6th St. - a two-building, 143,000 SF office development in Austin, TX. Nelsen Partners provided architectural services for this project.
• Fox Restaurant ConceptskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFox Restaurant Concepts partnered with Nelsen Partners for The Henry restaurant concept - multiple locations including Scottsdale, Nashville, Miami, Wilmette, Phoenix, Carlsbad, and Houston.
• Clint Orms Engravers and SilversmithskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelsen Partners provided architecture and interior/exterior renovation services for Clint Orms flagship showroom and workshop in downtown Kerrville, TX (11,875 SF).
• Endeavor Real Estate GroupkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndeavor Real Estate Group retained Nelsen Partners for The Domain master plan (176 acres, 7.5M SF) and Domain 8 office building (300,250 SF). Long-standing partnership on multiple Austin developments.
• Hawkins CompanieskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerHawkins Companies developed Ragsdale - a 6-story, 266-unit residential development with ground-floor retail in Downtown Phoenix, AZ (403,284 SF). Nelsen Partners provided architectural services.
• Fenix Development, LLCkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFenix Development engaged Nelsen Partners for The Watermark - a 15-acre, 660,000 SF mixed-use development in Tempe, AZ. Nelsen Partners provided master planning and full architectural services.
• Woodbine SouthwestkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerWoodbine Southwest was the developer for Kierland Commons - a 38-acre, 800,000 SF mixed-use development in Scottsdale, AZ that received the prestigious ULI Award for Excellence in 2009.
• Prime Steak ConceptskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrime Steak Concepts developed Ocean 44 restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ. Nelsen Partners provided architectural design for this award-winning dinner-only restaurant.
• Five Star DevelopmentkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Star Development engaged Nelsen Partners for The Ritz-Carlton Resort - a 200-unit, 5-star resort (280,000 SF) in Paradise Valley, AZ featuring ballrooms, spa, restaurants and casita buildings.
• Arizona Diamondbacks FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelsen Partners has provided pro bono architectural services for over 30 Diamondback Youth Fields and a Miracle League Field in support of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation.
• Neighborhood MinistriessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelsen Partners has maintained a 25+ year pro bono relationship with Neighborhood Ministries in Phoenix, providing design services for their downtown site transformation from industrial site to community asset.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Page: Texas-headquartered multidisciplinary design firm with deep practice in mixed-use, healthcare, education, and civic projects across the Sun Belt. Direct peer given similar geography, scale (≈700 staff), and mixed-use / master planning focus that competes head-to-head with Nelsen Partners on Austin, Dallas, and Houston developments.
• Lake|Flato Architects: San Antonio-based architecture practice widely recognized for sustainable mixed-use, hospitality, and adaptive reuse projects across Texas and the Southwest. Direct peer given shared Texas geography, hospitality/residential portfolio, and AIA-recognized design excellence comparable to Nelsen Partners' award profile.
• WATG: Global hospitality and resort architecture firm known for master planning large-scale mixed-use and resort destinations. Direct peer to Nelsen Partners' hospitality and master planning practice, particularly relevant given overlapping work on Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt Centric, and similar premium-hotel projects.
• SB Architects: San Francisco-based architecture firm specializing in luxury hospitality, resort, and mixed-use residential developments. Direct peer in the hospitality and master-planned residential segments where Nelsen Partners competes for similar high-end resort and multi-family clients.
• 5G Studio Collaborative: Dallas-based architecture and planning firm focused on mixed-use, multifamily, retail, and hospitality projects across Texas. Direct peer given overlapping Texas geography, mixed-use focus, and similar project types (town centers, mixed-use districts) that compete with Nelsen Partners' Austin and Scottsdale studios.
• Omniplan: Dallas-based architecture and planning firm with practice in mixed-use developments, multifamily, hospitality, and urban infill projects in Texas. Direct peer that competes with Nelsen Partners on similar Texas mixed-use commissions and shares comparable firm size and project scale.

Broad incumbents

• HKS Architects: Dallas-headquartered global architecture firm with broad practice across healthcare, sports, hospitality, and commercial mixed-use. Broad incumbent that overlaps with Nelsen Partners on large-scale Texas mixed-use and hospitality, but offers far broader service portfolio and global reach.
• Gensler: Global architecture, design, and planning firm with deep mixed-use, retail, hospitality, and master planning practices across the US and internationally. Broad incumbent that competes on large-scale commercial developments and tenant-driven retail/hospitality work, but typically at a much larger scale than Nelsen Partners.
• DLR Group: Employee-owned US architecture, engineering, and planning firm with broad practice in mixed-use, civic, education, and commercial developments across regional offices. Broad incumbent that competes with Nelsen Partners on commercial mixed-use and adaptive reuse but offers a much broader integrated design-engineering portfolio.

Emerging players

• SHoP Architects: New York-based architecture firm recognized for large-scale mixed-use, master-planned, and innovative construction-technology projects (Barclays Center, Gotham Center). Emerging player for adjacency: while SHoP is more design-forward and tech-experimental, it overlaps with Nelsen Partners on mixed-use mega-developments and construction-tech collaborations like El Cosmico.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NelsenPartners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nelsen-partners
• Instagraminstagram.com/nelsen_partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nelsen Partners