One of the largest architecture firms in North America is expanding again as Perkins Eastman has announced a merger with BLT Architects (BLTa) effective February 1st.

The new entity will be known as BLTa—A Perkins Eastman Studio and operate out of Philadelphia, a traditional stronghold of Perkins.

“We are very pleased that BLTa has joined us, and we now have a strong partner in Philadelphia. We have had the opportunity to get to know BLTa over the last several years and believe they bring significant skills and experience to our national practice,” Perkins Eastman chairman and co-founded  Brad Perkins said in a statement. “Moreover, we have always had important clients in Philadelphia, eastern Pennsylvania, and the adjacent states, and with BLTa we can now better serve those that want a combination of our national expertise combined with experienced local delivery and service.”

The in-state move is the latest in a list of successive acquisitions the firm has made dating back to the mid-90s and follows last year’s merger with Pfeiffer Architects, which now operates in a similar studio role with a focus on cultural and education projects.

The firm's move was motivated by a desire to strengthen its offerings in hospitality, mixed-use, and multi-family sectors, among others. The two firms share separate 40th (Perkins Eastman) and 60th (BLTa) anniversaries this year respectively. BLTa’s managing principal Michael Prifti says it was the right time for the award-winning office to grow in conjunction with the Perkins Eastman brand.

“This union will give us the opportunity to serve our national clients in jurisdictions where we don’t currently practice. Perkins Eastman has new markets we’ve never touched. And with more feet on the ground, we can more easily and geographically serve our clients.”