MVE Bolsters Mixed-Use Retail Design Practice

Keith Ray, AIA, a recognized leader in the design of mixed-use developments, has been named Principal-in-Charge, Retail and Urban Mixed-Use Design, at Irvine-based MVE & Partners, Inc., one of the 10 largest architecture firms in California.

"Keith Ray adds a new and important dimension to our range of work," says Richard Emsiek, AIA, President and Partner-in-Charge of MVE & Partners. "Ray's arrival at MVE strengthens our ability to meet and exceed our clients' goals, and enables us to explore and capture new work."

Ray, who has 35 years of experience in architecture, design and construction states, "I look forward to adding to MVE's proven track record of excellence and inspiring design by guiding the efforts of our team toward creating a rich sense of place with each retail-driven project we undertake."

In Southern California's future, mixed-use developments should feature a bolstered retail presence to bring nightlife and give vibrancy to the street scene, according to Ray. "We have a tremendous opportunity going forward to create interesting, lasting pieces of architecture, in which retail is the major driving component in creating a sense of place and an enlivened street scene."

Infill mixed-use projects that have a strong core of retail are especially necessary in transit-oriented developments, says Ray, who was previously senior vice president of mixed-use development at Archstone-Smith Trust, the public REIT, and senior vice president of design at international retail developer Westfield Corp.

Notably, Ray was lead developer while at Archstone-Smith for the MVE-designed Five-Seven Centrum, a retail-driven mixed-use development proposed for more than 50-acres of land in the emerging "Platinum Triangle" neighborhood of Anaheim. Now at MVE, Ray will continue working on Phase 1 which consists of 2.5-million-square-feet and comprises nearly one-million square feet of retail space, more than 1,100 residential units, 350,000 square feet of offices and two hotels. A broad mix of fashion retailers, department stores, restaurants, upscale grocer and entertainment venues will make Five-Seven Centrum a landmark in mixed-use architecture.

While at Westfield for eleven years, Ray designed and supervised several major mall projects in California and across the country. Ray studied architecture at Cal Poly Pomona and is a member of American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.

MVE & Partners is a national architecture, planning and interiors firm with a portfolio spanning more than 30 years. MVE's design and delivery services include the creation of residential, commercial, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, transit, interior and planning solutions from offices in Irvine and Oakland, CA, and in Honolulu, HI. Educational and civic projects are completed by MVE Institutional, an affiliated company. MVE & Partners bridges forward-thinking design initiatives, such as sustainability, smart-growth and urbanization to the timely completion of projects. While design diversity is the cornerstone of the firm, the defining approach is the creation of meaningful, attractive environments that enhance community and quality of life.