PROVIDENCE – Architect Steve Durkee announced Friday morning that he will leave Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels Architects and become a principal at Providence-based developer Cornish Associates.
In a news release, the chairman of the Providence City Plan Commission said that he planned to help manage Cornish real estate projects in downtown Providence. Cornish developed and owns the Westminster Lofts and developed retail shops and restaurants including Bravo Brasserie, Design Within Reach and Tazza Caffé. Cornish has worked with Durkee during the past 15 years on various projects.
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“This is an incredible opportunity to join an outstanding group with a shared vision on the development side of urban revitalization, an aspect of my work about which I’m passionate,” Durkee said.
Durkee and his former Rhode Island School of Design classmate Doug Brown started what was then called Durkee & Brown Architects in 1994 in a 300-square-foot office. The company changed its name in 2000 after Michael Viveiros and Martha Werenfels became partners and today employs 25 people and offers a full suite of architectural services.
“I’m very excited about this next chapter, but I’ll miss a lot about the firm culture at Durkee Brown,” Durkee said. “The humor, passion, creativity and dedication in our studio make it a unique and fun place.”
The architectural firm said it would maintain its name, projects and ownership structure. Durkee will phase out his projects by June, but remain on call if needed, the company said.
Brown called Durkee’s departure a “personal loss” for the company. But he said that more than half its employees are at least five-year veterans of the company and the firm should not miss a beat.
