User:Jisher/KKE Architects, Inc. (TAKE TWO)

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Overview
KKE Architects, Inc., commonly referred to as KKE, is an Architectural, Interior Design and Planning service firm with market focus on Government and Justice, Residential, Senior Residential, Education, Healthcare, Hospitality, Entertainment, Gaming, Native American, Retail, Office, and Mixed-Use sectors. KKE is most commonly known for it's involvement in the Mall of America (in conjunction with architectural firms HGA and the Jerde Partnership). KKE is also listed as one of the top 500 U.S. design firms according to McGraw-Hill Construction (2006 # 385).

KKE has offices located in Minneapolis, MN. (headquarters), Irvine, CA. and Pasadena, CA.

Notable Buildings/ Projects: Completed

 * 1998: Mall of America, Bloomington, MN.


 * 2005: Historic Sumner Library, Minneapolis, MN.


 * 2006: North Regional Library, Minneapolis, MN.


 * 2006: Nasseff Specialty Center, St. Paul, MN.


 * 2006: World's Largest Gingerbread House, Mall of America, Bloomington, MN.

Notable Buildings/ Projects: Proposed or Under construction
Mall of America Phase 2 Bloomington, MN.

Molasky Corporate Center Las Vegas, NV. (Attempting USGBC LEED Silver certification)


 * Business Bank Corporate Centre Summerlin Las Vegas, NV.

History
1956: Jerry Korsunsky and Ron Krank met each other at the University of Minnesota. Korsunsky was a registered architect with the physical plant department, and Krank was hired to work for that department part-time while completing his second year of school.

1959: By chance, Korsunsky and Krank met up a second time at Ellerbe Architects. They joked that the coincidence must mean they should become partners in their own firm some day.

1960: Ron Krank started working for Victor Gruen Associates, the creators of the regional mall concept. Krank acquires shopping mall experience.

1968: After going their separate ways for a few years, Korsunsky and Krank decided it was time to form a partnership. Korsunsky Krank Architects’ strategic vision was to focus on specific markets areas to insure the stability of the firm. Their three main markets were skilled nursing facilities (Korsunsky’s strength), retail/shopping center projects and multi-family housing (Krank’s strengths). Korsunsky selects the nursing home market: Korsunsky wanted to become an expert in a market area. After much research, he decided nursing homes would be that market. Korsunsky came up with an idea for a nursing home project, but he didn’t have someone to build it for. So he took his idea, sketched out the design, chose an appropriate site and found someone to develop it.

1973: While working on the Point of France Condominiums, the firm needed a key project manager. Ron Erickson answered an ad for the position.

1977 Korsunsky Krank Erickson Architects (a.k.a. KKE) begins: Erickson became a partner in the firm. Korsunsky Krank Erickson Architects, Inc. is formed.

1980: KKE’s Interior Design group was added. Corporate retail and commercial development begin.

1986:After outgrowing six offices, KKE moved to Minneapolis’ Warehouse District at 300 First Avenue North. An evolution also began in 1986. KKE started using computers for design and drafting (CAD).

1987: KKE begins work in public sector market. KKE shareholders added: Joel Anderson, Dave Broesder, David Frank (now deceased), Tom Gerster, Greg Hollenkamp and Bob Mayeron.

1988: KKE government business unit begins

1989: KKE was selected to work with HGA on the Mall of America. This project marked the transition to a large firm. At the conclusion of the $650 million Mall of America project, KKE reached 100 employees.

1991: Jerry Korsunsky retires.

1993: KKE celebrated its 25th year in practice in 1993. To commemorate the milestone, they purchased a 1968 Volkswagen van. Local artist Alex Boies, who created the Mall of America logo, created the van’s special design to capture KKE’s culture and a bit of youthful exuberance from times past. The clients and staff were invited to use the van.

1996: KKE developed a mission statement. KKE ranked as one of the Top 10 international design firms in retail architecture by World Architecture (Dec96/Jan97).

1997: The KKE Charitable Foundation was started.

1998: KKE celebrated its 30th anniversary by purchasing two 1960's Volkswagen bugs, named Mov’n and Groov’n. The bugs, just like the van, were decorated in the 60s theme. New shareholders added:Jack Amdal, Kevin Halbach and Lee Meyer.

1999: New shareholders added: Don Curwick, John Gould, Mohammed Lawal and Greg Woollums.

2000: New shareholders added: Quin Scott and Todd Young were selected as shareholders. In Engineering News Record’s analysis of national architectural firms, KKE was ranked in the top 50 (non A/E firms). In CityBusiness, a weekly Twin Cities metro area newspaper, KKE was ranked number three in billings for architectural firms. CityBusiness also named KKE one of the Twin Cities’ 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies.

2001: KKE expanded the practice by adding an office in Newport Beach. Ron Krank retires after 33 years at KKE.

2002: KKE created the Ron Krank Vision Award, given to a graduate student at the University of Minnesota School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. KKE was recognized by industry consulting firm Zweig White with placement among the top 100 A/E/P firms. KKE begins Hospitality, Recreation and Entertainment market unit. New shareholders added: Brian Arial and Randy Lindemann.

2003: A second California office was opened in Pasadena.

2005: KKE acquires Californian/ Nevada architectural firm HFTA (Howard F. Thompson & Associates).