FORT WORTH, Texas – After doing business as Gideon Toal since 1993, one of Fort Worth’s most respected architecture and planning firms is now Bennett Benner Pettit, reflecting the current leadership of the firm.
Founded in 1956, the firm’s new name and look are the most publicly visible stage in a metamorphosis that began several years ago.
“Our new name, our new identity and even the new design of our website and our office space all speak to the fact that this is a new day for our firm,” said CEO Michael Bennett. “At the same time, we are truly proud of this firm’s history and we fully appreciate all the work that has gotten us to this point. Rest assured that we are firmly committed to continuing our heritage of providing the highest quality architectural services with meaningful, personal attention and to making a positive difference in our community.”
Randy Gideon and James Toal, who acquired the firm in 1993, completed the sale of their ownership of the company in 2008 and announced last year that they would be leaving the firm. The current leadership structure has been in place since 2008.
“The principals have a combined 42 years at this firm and a substantial breadth of project experience that will be carried forward with continued focus on quality and will be expanded to meet our clients’ needs,” said Bruce Benner, President and Chief Operating Officer. “We remain dedicated to providing value-added solutions as a professional services team, a community advocate and a company staffed with active local residents. It’s a new day for our firm, yet the management and staff that our clients see will remain unchanged as will our commitment to producing quality design and outstanding service.”
Bennett joined the firm in 2004 as a principal and has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2008. Benner has been with the firm since 1984 and was named Principal, President and COO in 2001. David Pettit joined the firm in 2003. The company has been continuously in business since 1956 and has been 100 percent employee-owned since 2008.
“Bennett Benner Pettit carries forward a strong tradition of being more than an architecture firm, more than a design firm,” said Pettit, Principal and Director of Economic Development. “We have been, and will continue to be, a firm whose problem-solving skills and diversity give our clients industry-leading expertise in architecture, planning, interior design, economic development and landscape architecture.”
Bennett’s recent architectural projects include the Museum of Living Art (MOLA) at the Fort Worth Zoo, Acme Brick Corporate Headquarters, TCU’s Jarvis Hall and Erma Lowe Hall, The Residences at 1301 Throckmorton and mixed-use projects that include West 7th and West Bend in Fort Worth and Watters Creek in Allen. Planning projects include the Waco Near Northside Redevelopment Plan, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Master Plan and the Sulphur, Oklahoma Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
Benner’s recent architectural projects include the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the World Trade Center Exhibit, Tarrant Regional Water District Annex, the new Tarrant County Jail, Greenwood Chapel, Western Heritage Parking Garage, Cantey Hanger Plaza, BNSF Railway Headquarters Campus, system-wide corporate facilities and customer rail car fleet, as well as multiple ongoing design efforts for Bell Helicopter.
Prior to joining the former Gideon Toal in 2003, Pettit was with Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., the City of San Antonio and the City of Dallas. Pettit’s economic development projects include the Acme Brick Corporate Headquarters, West 7th, Montgomery Plaza, Midtown, La Gran Plaza, Trinity Uptown and The Tower. Pettit has also worked on economic development projects with the cities of Amarillo, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Euless, Grapevine, Irving and Tyler.
In addition to its three namesake principals, Bennett Benner Pettit is planning for the future with a diverse and proficient team of leaders who together have three decades of combined experience with the firm.
Associate Principal Mark Dabney, AIA, is responsible for architectural production and staffing and is a valued resource to the firm’s clients. Associates Amanda Schulte, AIA, Gannon Gries, AIA, and Stephen Pepper, AICP, are proven project leaders and have been involved in many of the firm’s signature projects.
About Bennett Benner Pettit
Bennett Benner Pettit is a multi-disciplinary design firm, offering architecture, urban design and planning, economic development, interior design and landscape architecture. Our objective is to create projects that make a positive difference in the environment, improve communities and heighten the capabilities and brand value of our clients. With the personal attention of its leaders, Bennett Benner Pettit applies keen insight, problem-solving skills and a collaborative approach to complex situations, helping us understand the fabric of the communities in which we work and thoughtfully design in concert with our clients. Bennett Benner Pettit is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and on the Web at www.bbptx.com.
500 West 7th Street, Suite 1400