KCRag Forum

Posted: **Thu Sep 11, 2003 8:02 am**

I have always thought HOK's world HQ were in KC. However, skyscrapers.com indicates these headquarters reside in the Metropolitan Square in downtown StL.

Is that info correct?

source: http://www.skyscrapers.com/re/en/wm/bu/127235/

Posted: **Thu Sep 11, 2003 8:12 am**

I think HOK Sport + Venue are headquartered in KC. They are the one's that design the majority of the new stadiums/arenas. They must be a subsidiary of HOK in STL.

Posted: **Thu Sep 11, 2003 9:55 am**

Jayhawks' got it....HoK is in STL, HoK Sport is in KC.....here's their history from their website http://www.hoksport.com

In the 1970s and 80s, a group of architects began to recognize a strong market for the creative and unique design of sports facilities. Bolstered by their work on the Truman Sports Complex and several other projects, they realized the market could support an architecture firm that focused completely on sports facilities.

In 1983, the four architects - Chris Carver, Ron Labinski, Joe Spear and Dennis Wellner - struck out on their own. Under the umbrella of St. Louis-based HOK, the country's largest architecture firm, they founded the first practice dedicated exclusively to the design of sports facilities.

HOK Sports Facilities Group employed six people in 1984. It grew to 50 by 1988, and exceeded 160 in 1996. In January 1999, HOK Sport merged with the international firm LOBB Sports, creating the first truly global architecture firm. Today, HOK Sport + Venue + Event has a staff of more than 350; offices in Kansas City, London and Brisbane; and a role in more than 600 sports projects.

Posted: **Fri Sep 12, 2003 10:48 am**

...and what is HOK?

Posted: **Fri Sep 12, 2003 10:56 am**

They are one of the biggest sports architecture firms in the world. They design stadiums, arenas, etc. Not many people know it, but Kansas City is the headquarters of most of the world's leading sports architecture firms. KC is to sports architecture what Madison Avenue is to advertising.