Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architects (MHS Architects), a premier architectural, planning and design firm specializing in residential and mixed-use multifamily developments, has been named “Firm of the Year” – a highly-esteemed award given by the American Institute of Architects-New Jersey Chapter (AIA-NJ). The honor, which was announced as part of AIA’s 2019 Service Awards, distinguishes MHS Architects as an exceptional architectural firm and recognizes its impressive success and significant expansion over the past year. 

With demand growing for walkable, city-centric living and substantial redevelopment efforts underway throughout New Jersey’s urban centers, real estate developers have increasingly relied on MHS Architects’ extensive experience and inventive solutions for transforming inner cities and downtowns into vibrant, sustainable neighborhoods, leading the company to expand in size by nearly 25% in 2018-19.  Notable assignments recently completed by the firm include Bijou Properties’ 424-unit 7 Seventy House rental building in Hoboken, K. Hovnanian Homes’ Nine on the Hudson waterfront condominium building in West New York, and Roseland Residential Trust’s Metropolitan Lofts rental building in Morristown, among others.

“We’re incredibly honored and appreciative to receive such a prestigious award,” said Founding Principal Dean Marchetto, FAIA, who has led the firm for its nearly 40 years in operation.   

 “This is a tribute to our entire team of architects, planners and staff in recognition of their exemplary efforts to serve our development clients in award-winning fashion.  Their unwavering dedication and commitment to both design and community building has allowed us to expand our scope of services and enter many new and exciting markets throughout the state.  Their creativity and tireless work ethic have us well positioned for continued growth in the years to come.”

With offices in Hoboken and Jersey City’s Journal Square, MHS Architects performs architecture, land planning and urban design for mixed-use projects ranging from four-to-forty stories throughout New Jersey.  The firm places heavy emphasis on building a sense of belonging and community, and creates public awareness surrounding each development through a process of community participation and involvement. Guided by the principles of Smart Growth and the New Urbanism, one of the firm’s most significant architectural accomplishments has been the vital role it has played in the rebirth of Hoboken as a residential community, having designed and completed more than 100 buildings in the mile square city.

MHS Architects has experience in various market types and size, and is on the cutting edge of trailblazing development trends in New Jersey, including the movement to bring downtowns back to small towns, designing and planning for transit-oriented, smart growth developments, and the critical trend of implementing green, sustainable architecture.  To achieve client goals and introduce well-designed, responsible projects that complement existing municipal structures, MHS Architects relies on its expertise working with community boards and municipal officials to gain valuable local insight and input.

The AIA-NJ “Firm of the Year” honor is the eighth award for MHS Architects in 2019 and the 50th award for the firm in total.  MHS Architects has worked for some of the most prominent real estate developers in the region.  In addition to the aforementioned, these include KRE Group, Hartz Mountain Industries, Toll Brothers City Living®, Albanese Organization, Kushner Companies, Fields Development Group and SILVERMAN: Building Neighborhoods