For nearly three decades, HKS Architects has called downtown Orlando home. Founded in 1939, the global architecture and design firm opened its downtown Orlando office in 1995, establishing deep roots in the city’s core and playing a defining role in impactful spaces where our community comes together.
“The central part of downtown Orlando is a huge part of why we’re here,” says Nathan Butler, Partner and Office Director at HKS Orlando. “It’s why we came here in the first place, and why we’re still here today.”
HKS’s local legacy began with two of downtown’s most iconic landmarks: Orlando City Hall and the surrounding CNL Towers. Their team later served as executive architect for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, helping create one of Central Florida’s most celebrated cultural destinations.
Since then, HKS has continued to shape the region through a diverse portfolio spanning healthcare, hospitality, and education. The firm has designed major projects for Orlando Health and AdventHealth, while also contributing to K–12 and higher education facilities across Central Florida and beyond.
“It really means a lot for me personally when I encounter someone who has had an opportunity to experience one of the projects that we’ve had a part in,” Butler reflects. “It helps to give us purpose — the impact you have on people’s lives through what we do is profound.”
That human-centered approach is at the core of HKS’s philosophy. With nearly 30 offices worldwide, the firm makes a deliberate choice to locate each one in the heart of its community, fostering relationships that fuel collaboration and creativity.
“We want to be embedded and engaged with the community,” Butler explains. “Our work depends on partnerships—with local governments, civic leaders, and the philanthropic community. Being downtown keeps us connected to all of it.”
For HKS, being in downtown Orlando isn’t just about location—it’s about legacy. Every building tells a story, and together, those stories form the foundation of a city that continues to evolve with purpose and pride.
“When you think about the bigger picture,” Butler says, “you realize that what we design each day contributes to a legacy—one that supports our community in all its dimensions.”
As downtown Orlando grows and transforms, HKS remains committed to designing spaces that do more than shape the city but strengthen it’s potential to thrive.
Hear from Nathan Butler on how HKS is helping build a legacy in downtown Orlando here.