For over 35 years Nelsen Partners has been a pioneer on projects throughout the US and rapidly expanding around the world. The Texas based firm provides architecture, interiors, planning, and urban design services for projects ranging from mixed-use developments and master-planned urban centers, to retail developments, office buildings, residential towers, hotels, performing arts venues, and restaurants. Their practice led by thirteen partners and associates consist of experienced professionals, inspired by the enthusiasm of talented young architects providing fresh ideas and expanding vision. Having bagged numerous awards for their innovative designs; sustainability, community service and public involvement are an important part of Nelsen Partners’ culture.
Here are 10 Leading projects by Nelsen Partners.
1. OCEAN 44
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Services: Architecture
Status: Complete
Year: 2018
Specializing in world-class seafood, Ocean 44 is a vibrant upscale synthesis of architecture, gastronomy, and true hospitality. At grade and clerestory, the southwest corner is wrapped in glass to fully unmask the interior along with a 32’ tall courtyard tower anchored to the north east portion of the building, adding a prominent element to the façade. The structure is precisely situated vertically to a theatrical display of the Goldwater Boulevard. Being a dinner-only restaurant, the subtle dark color of its exterior was used to fade into the dark sky at night, thus further accentuating its interior. The scaled pattern on the building is a metaphoric play of its primary function as a seafood diner. Different than anything in the city, it features a blend of dining settings ranging from dramatic to intimate.
2. HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Location: Austin, Texas
Services: Design
Status: Completed
Year: 2019
Hidden in Plain Sight recalls the excitement and wonder of playing childhood games such as hide-and-seek- the thrill of seeing without being seen. Designed as an entry for Fortlandia- a yearly exhibition that featured 10 forts designed by local architects and artists in Austin, TX, it transports one to imaginary worlds while sparking an appreciation for art and nature. The four cubes that make up the grid are conventionally framed wood structures, clad in mirrored acrylic panels that reflect the fort’s surroundings, disguising it as a part of the landscape. The childlike scale and colorful ribbons evoke playfulness and encourage children to circulate within and around the structures.
3. THE LONG CENTER
Location: Austin, Texas
Status: Completed
Year: 2008
Scope: 168,000 SF
In the true spirit of sustainable design, Austin’s 1950s-era Palmer Auditorium was recycled to become the Long Center for the Performing Arts. The best assets of the old building- its stage house, mezzanines, main floor, and basement from the cradle for symphony, opera, and ballet in the form of 2400-seat Dell Foundation Hall and 240-seat Rollins Studio Theater. The original dome has been removed, revealing the perimeter ring beam and a colonnade, creating The City Terrace, a public plaza boasting unobstructed views of the Downtown Skyline.
4. 333 COLLINS
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Status: Completed
Year: 1992
Scope: 30 Stories / 775,000 SF
This 30-story office tower was designed around the historic CBA Bank (1891). Designed with specific reference to the original structure, the building celebrates the rich ornamentation and detail of the restored banking chamber within. The tower is set back from both streets responding to the scale of the surrounding structures. It also includes four levels of below-grade structured parking accommodating 350 cars.
5. ROCKY LEDGE
Location: Austin, Texas
Status: Completed
Year: 2017
Scope: 5,800 SF
Rocky Ledge is situated on a forested lot in the heart of Westlake, nestled into a lush natural hillside. With city views from the main living room and kitchen, and views into the tree tops from each bedroom, the structure houses a spacious living and dining areas, a game room, and large pool deck along with 4 bedrooms in the main house and an additional 2 bedrooms in the attached guest quarters.
6. NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES EDUCATION CENTER
Phoenix, Arizona
Status: Ongoing
Year: 2000 – present
Scope: Renovation/Restoration
The project was conceived to revitalize an old and dilapidated silo building into an education center for the community. Housing a preschool, after-school facilities and administrative offices, the silo project is to cater to the needs of low-income families. The building facade features double-steel skin with over 35 custom steel frame window boxes to bring in lots of natural light. Recycled materials were used in the renovation, making it a sustainable project.
7. KIERLAND COMMONS
Phoenix, Arizona
Status: Completed
Year: 2010
Scope: 38 Acres / 800,000 SF
This project became the leader and inspiration for retail and entertainment projects throughout the States. The unique design of the outdoor environment, the mix of uses, and the attention given to the scale of the architecture and street widths allows pedestrians and vehicles to co-exist.
8. PRESERVE AT 620
Austin, Texas
Status: Completed
Year: 2019
Scope: Renovation / 226,329 SF
The Preserve at 620 transforms an abandoned Walmart SuperCenter into a thriving creative office. To create a sense of place and entry, 3 tenant entries were designed to engage with the façade and distinguish it from the plain while building panels. It features 2 Courtyards that were carved out of the existing retail center. These expose its existing structure to fill the space with natural light and make the space feel lighter Other amenities giving life to this office are a Fitness Center with lockers, Basketball Court, Dog Run, and Landscape seating and areas.
9. MOSAIC PARCEL A
Phoenix, Arizona
Status: Complete
Year: 2012
Scope: 115,000 SF
This project includes 50,000 square feet of retail, 65,000 square feet of Class-A office and a 1,000-car parking garage to support the adjacent hotel, market, and Angelica movie theater complimenting the rest of the locality.
10. TALAVERA LOFTS
Austin, Texas
Status: Under Construction
Scope:93 units
The site is located alongside a former freight corridor, largely dominated by metal-clad industrial sheds and dusty parking lots. The idea is to benefit the entire community with a piece of architecture that brings a much-needed bit of panache to the streetscape—a dramatic, flatiron-shaped structure with stylish landscaping on both flanks, while also blending into the industrial background of the locality.
