ON THE MOVE

LGA Partners architectural firm relocating to Union Trust Building

An Uptown architecture firm is headed to Downtown.

LGA Partners has signed a letter of intent with The Davis Companies of Boston to take nearly 15,000 square feet of space in the historic Union Trust Building on Grant Street.

The move will involve the relocation of about 70 employees. It also will bring the occupancy of the Union Trust Building up to about 90%.

LGA will be occupying what is known as “Quad” space on the 10th and 11th floors of the building. It features a two-floor open plan and a glass ceiling.

“We are thrilled to have a class- leading design firm like LGA take the last remaining Quad space in the Union Trust,” said Christopher Lasky, Davis vice president of development. “We not only gained a great tenant but also a great partner for future development.”

With the move, the architectural firm is doubling down on its investment in in- person work, according to its announcement on the relocation.

“Zoom is a great tool to achieve a work/life balance for our staff, but it cannot replace real collaboration,” said Jonathan Glance, an LGA partner.

“We must be in the office to cultivate our culture; this is critical for both recruitment and retention. Our new space is a commitment not only to the urban core but also the in-person workplace.”

The letter of intent with LGA is the second major commitment The Davis Companies has gotten for the Union Trust Building this month.

Ritual House, a new restaurant operated by the owners of Coast & Main Seafood and Chophouse in Monroeville Mall, has signed a lease to take the former Union Standard space in the 11story structure.

Since buying the Union Trust Building at sheriff sale for $14 million in 2014, The Davis Companies has spent more than $100 million restoring and rehabbing it.

“We must be in the office to cultivate our culture; this is critical for both recruitment and retention.” — Jonathan Glance, partner, LGA Partners

Over the last seven years, it has increased the building’s occupancy from 39% to 90% and has filled all of the street-level retail spaces.

The Grant Street landmark was built by industrialist Henry Clay Frick and opened in 1917.

In addition to announcing its relocation, LGA, founded in 1993 as a women- owned business, stated that it would be opening an office in Denver.

Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette Architecture firm LGA Partners will be moving into the Union Trust Building, bringing the occupancy of the Downtown landmark to about 90%.