Business Details
33 Years
experience
Trusted Architects Creating Community-Centric Spaces in Cleveland
City Architecture has been shaping Cleveland's urban landscape for three decades through community-driven design. Founded on principles of social consciousness and civic duty, our multidisciplinary team combines architectural excellence with strategic urban planning to create spaces that foster connection and growth. Our holistic approach prioritizes collaboration with clients and communities, ensuring every project reflects local needs while maintaining technical precision and aesthetic innovation. With expertise in master planning, historic preservation, and sustainable design, we deliver solutions that balance immediate implementation with long-term visionary goals.Our commitment to quality is evidenced by over 250 industry awards, including the AIA Ohio Gold Medal Firm Award, recognizing our consistent excellence in design and professional practice. Through transparent processes and community engagement initiatives, we transform underutilized spaces into vibrant assets that enhance quality of life across Northeast Ohio.
Services
Urban Planning
Architectural Design
Community Engagement
Historic Preservation
Streetscape Design
Master Planning
Construction Documentation
Sustainable Design
Public Space Development
Neighborhood Revitalization
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- 30 years of Cleveland-specific urban design expertise
- Holistic approach combining architecture, planning, and community engagement
- LEED-certified professionals delivering sustainable solutions
- Award-winning designs recognized by AIA and ASLA
- Proven track record in historic preservation and adaptive reuse
Services
Urban Planning
Our urban planning services focus on creating walkable, sustainable communities through comprehensive master plans and zoning strategies. We specialize in transit-oriented development and mixed-use corridors that enhance connectivity while preserving neighborhood character. Our planners collaborate with stakeholders to develop implementable solutions that balance growth with community needs, utilizing GIS mapping and data analysis to inform decision-making processes that shape regional development patterns.
Architectural Design
We deliver innovative architectural solutions spanning residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. Our design process emphasizes contextual sensitivity, integrating modern functionality with historic preservation where appropriate. The firm specializes in mixed-income housing developments that address urban density challenges while maintaining aesthetic quality. Our technical expertise ensures code compliance and construction efficiency across all project types, from adaptive reuse of historic structures to cutting-edge new developments.
Community Engagement
Our community engagement approach employs innovative outreach methods to ensure inclusive participation in planning processes. We utilize interactive workshops, digital platforms, and on-site events to gather diverse perspectives that inform project outcomes. This commitment to participatory design extends throughout project phases, maintaining transparency and incorporating community feedback into final deliverables that reflect local aspirations and priorities.
Historic Preservation
Specializing in historic building rehabilitation, we preserve architectural heritage while adapting structures for modern use. Our team navigates tax credit programs and regulatory requirements to implement cost-effective preservation strategies. Recent projects demonstrate expertise in restoring iconic landmarks while integrating contemporary amenities, ensuring historic assets remain viable components of evolving urban landscapes through sensitive material conservation and design innovation.
Streetscape Design
Our streetscape designs transform urban corridors into vibrant public spaces that prioritize pedestrian experience. We implement complete street concepts that balance vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian needs while incorporating sustainable infrastructure elements. Projects feature custom urban furniture, wayfinding systems, and public art integration that establish distinct identities for commercial districts and neighborhood centers, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
People
Alex J. Pesta
Principal/Partner
AIA, AICP, LEED AP-certified architect with expertise in urban design and project implementation. Specializes in creating community-focused developments that balance technical precision with creative vision through collaborative client relationships and stakeholder engagement.
John E.J. Wagner
Principal/Partner
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP-certified principal with focus on urban-scale design solutions. Combines architectural excellence with construction expertise to deliver context-sensitive projects that reflect client objectives while advancing community development goals through innovative problem-solving.
Katie Veasey Gillette
Principal/Partner
AIA, NCARB-certified leader in community-oriented architecture. Specializes in master planning and urban design with emphasis on creating value-driven solutions that address complex project challenges while maintaining commitment to civic improvement initiatives.
Mathew Spencer
Principal/Partner
Licensed architect with focus on historic preservation and universal design principles. Manages diverse projects emphasizing environmental responsibility and community revitalization through adaptive reuse strategies that maintain architectural heritage while meeting modern needs.
Krysta Pesarchick
Senior City Planner
AICP, EcoDistricts AP-certified planner specializing in biophilic design and sustainable community development. Combines neighborhood planning expertise with environmental consciousness to create thriving urban environments that prioritize both people and ecological systems.
Questions
What architectural services does City Architecture offer?
We provide comprehensive architectural services including urban design, historic preservation, residential/commercial development, and public infrastructure projects tailored to community needs.
How does City Architecture engage with communities?
We employ interactive workshops, digital platforms, and on-site events to gather diverse perspectives that inform project outcomes through inclusive participatory design processes.
What geographic areas do you serve?
Primarily serving Cleveland and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities including Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, and Sandusky with regional planning expertise.
Can you handle historic building renovations?
Yes, our team specializes in historic preservation with expertise navigating tax credit programs and regulatory requirements for adaptive reuse projects.
What makes your urban planning approach unique?
We combine GIS mapping, data analysis, and stakeholder collaboration to create implementable plans that balance growth with neighborhood character preservation.
Do you work on public infrastructure projects?
Yes, we design streetscapes, public spaces, and transportation corridors that enhance urban connectivity while prioritizing pedestrian experience and sustainable infrastructure.
