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DeSimone Consulting Engineers

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article DeSimone Consulting Engineers, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 25 July 2025
DeSimone Consulting Engineering
Company typePrivate
IndustryStructural engineering
Founded1969 in New York City, United States
FounderVincent J. DeSimone
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Stephen V. DeSimone (CEO)
ProductsStructural engineering services, Property Loss Consulting
Websitedesimoneconsulting.com

DeSimone Consulting Engineering is a structural engineering firm established in 1969 by Vincent J. DeSimone in New York City. The company provides comprehensive structural engineering solutions to architects, property owners, and developers, covering analysis and design for a wide variety of building types throughout all stages of project development. In 2016, DeSimone broadened its service offerings by introducing a Property Loss Consulting division. Its worldwide presence includes offices located in Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Foxborough, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New Haven, New York City, San Francisco, London, Medellín, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Having completed in excess of 10,000 projects across 40 U.S. states and 45 countries, DeSimone has established a prominent position within the structural engineering sector.

Vincent J. DeSimone (1969 - 2002)

Founded by Vincent "Vince" J. DeSimone, an alumnus of Manhattan College’s class of 1959, DeSimone Consulting Engineering began operations in 1969. Vince served as CEO until 2002 when leadership was passed to his son, Stephen V. DeSimone. Until his passing in 2016, Vince held the role of president, leaving behind a legacy marked by visionary leadership that propelled the firm’s expansion and competitive strength in the structural engineering market.

Stephen V. DeSimone (2002 - present)

On August 11, 2016, the company moved its headquarters to 140 Broadway, securing the entire 25th floor to enhance proximity to its client base. This lease agreement, brokered by Cushman & Wakefield, was valued at approximately $1,625,000.

In May 2022, DeSimone extended its international footprint by inaugurating an office in London to penetrate the UK engineering market. To overcome brand awareness challenges in the region, the firm acquired DP Squared—a prominent structural engineering practice based in Manchester and Northern England—on August 1, 2023, thereby solidifying its UK market position.

The Architect's Newspaper recognized DeSimone as the top structural engineering firm in the Northeastern United States for 2023. Furthermore, CEO Monthly awarded Stephen DeSimone the title of 2024 "Most Innovative Structural and Façade Consultancy CEO," acknowledging his forward-thinking leadership and adeptness at steering the firm through industry transformations.

Exoskeleton buildings

DeSimone is distinguished for its innovation in exoskeleton building designs, exemplified by the acclaimed 170 Amsterdam Avenue residential tower on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. This twenty-story structure incorporates a concrete diagrid exoskeleton that transfers load-bearing elements to the building’s exterior, allowing for open interior floor layouts free from columns. The façade employs a custom concrete blend that mimics limestone combined with fiberglass reinforcement. This project earned DeSimone the American Council of Engineering Companies’ Diamond Award for Structural Systems in 2016.

Additionally, the firm engineered the structural framework for Miami’s One Thousand Museum, designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Zaha Hadid. DeSimone crafted a distinctive curved "root" exoskeleton utilizing hollow precast concrete panels integrated into the building’s support infrastructure. This cutting-edge approach optimizes interior space while minimizing material use and is founded on a deep foundation system featuring auger cast piles installed by HJ Foundation of the keller Group—a record-setting achievement in foundation construction.

Twisting buildings

DeSimone pioneered the introduction of genuine twisting towers in the United States with The Grove at Grand Bay in Miami, Florida, a design by renowned Danish starchitect Bjarke Ingels. This development consists of two 20-story towers containing 98 residential units, featuring ceiling heights of 12 feet and balconies extending 14 feet. The structures rotate a cumulative 38 degrees, providing sweeping vistas of Biscayne Bay alongside the Miami cityscape.

The deep foundation system utilized an auger cast pile method supplied by HJ Foundation, part of the Keller Group. Key structural complexities involved counteracting torsional forces generated by inclined columns; horizontal gravity forces are redirected to vertical core shear walls, which serve as the primary structural framework. For this innovative work, DeSimone earned the Platinum Award for Structural Systems from the American Council of Engineering Companies in 2016.

Skyscrapers and supertalls

DeSimone has engineered a wide array of skyscrapers and is actively engaged in supertall developments such as 125 Greenwich Street, designed by Rafael Viñoly, which surpasses the 1,000-foot mark. The firm is also responsible for 99 Hudson Street, an 889-foot residential tower currently under construction in Jersey City, New Jersey. Upon its completion, it will stand as New Jersey's tallest structure and rank fourth among the tallest residential towers nationwide.

Work with "Starchitects"

DeSimone has partnered with prominent architects and firms including Zaha Hadid, Bjarke Ingels, Richard Meier, Robert A.M. Stern, Foster and Partners, Rafael Viñoly, Rem Koolhas, Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Arquitectonica, and SLCE. These collaborations underscore DeSimone’s pivotal role in providing sophisticated structural engineering solutions for distinguished projects, thereby strengthening its market presence and competitive positioning.

Neom

DeSimone contributes structural engineering expertise to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Neom initiative, with a specific focus on The Line. This engagement highlights the firm’s active participation in large-scale international ventures within emerging markets.

Sustainability

As a recognized National Member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), DeSimone prioritizes sustainable engineering methodologies. Its involvement in P.S. 62, The Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability—the first net zero energy school in New York City—has garnered several prestigious awards including the 2016 AIANY COTE Award and Engineering News Record’s Best Green Project (New York Region) 2016. These honors demonstrate DeSimone’s dedication to embedding sustainability within its operational framework, solidifying its leadership in environmentally responsible building engineering.

Henderson Rogers

DeSimone’s inaugural acquisition occurred on April 28, 2020, with the purchase of Henderson Rogers Structural Engineers, a Houston-based firm previously owned by Ryan Binkley’s Generational Equity. Established in 2005, Henderson Rogers specialized in aviation, education, commercial, sports, and healthcare sectors and completed over 3,300 projects serving more than 400 clients. At the time of acquisition, K. Elaine Rogers was principal engineer and president. This strategic move aimed to broaden DeSimone’s presence across Texas and the wider Southern U.S. region.

RRC Engineering

On September 2, 2020, DeSimone broadened its service offerings by acquiring RRC Engineering, a structural engineering firm based in Massachusetts that focuses on data center design. This move aimed to diversify DeSimone’s portfolio and provide additional support to RRC's engineering team. Established in 2002 by Robert Chartrand, RRC had completed prominent projects including data centers across the country, headquarters for Mobile Press, Winston-Salem Journal, Bob's Discount Furniture, and Tufts University's Equine Center. Following the acquisition, RRC was integrated as DeSimone's Foxborough office, with Chartrand remaining as principal engineer.

Fourzero

DeSimone strengthened its footprint in Florida and the southeastern United States on May 11, 2022, through the acquisition of Fourzero, an engineering company headquartered in Coral Gables. Founded in 2013 by experienced professional Federico Balestrazzi, Fourzero contributed specialized knowledge in façade design, testing, manufacturing, estimating, and installation. This acquisition enhanced DeSimone’s expertise in hurricane-resistant construction, reinforcing its competitive position within Hurricane Alley.

Dowco

On January 6, 2023, DeSimone Consulting Engineering expanded its capabilities by acquiring Dowco, a steel detailing firm located in Langley, British Columbia. Established in 1970 by Hugh Dobbie, Joe Ord, and Jack Wilson, Dowco was a pioneer in adopting computer-aided design (CAD) technologies and developed proprietary software alongside offering CAD training services. Prior to joining DeSimone, Dowco grew through several mergers and maintained offices internationally in Chile, India, and the Philippines. Incorporating Dowco’s global detailing and BIM services enables DeSimone to internalize steel detailing processes, thereby minimizing client risk and improving project oversight.

DP Squared

DeSimone enhanced its presence in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2023, by acquiring DP Squared, a civil engineering consultancy founded in 2004 by Darren and Deborah Paine. Based in Hebden Bridge, DP Squared became DeSimone’s Northern England branch complementing its London office. The firm is recognized for its environmental initiatives and LEED expertise and has contributed structural engineering services to projects such as Deansgate Square. New Civil Engineer acknowledged DP Squared’s substantial influence despite its small team size—responsible for five out of Manchester’s six tallest buildings—and commended their inclusive organizational culture. This acquisition aligned with DeSimone’s growth strategy by leveraging DP Squared’s established reputation and project portfolio within the UK market.

Decipher

On October 17, 2023, DeSimone continued expanding its UK operations through the acquisition of Decipher, a construction consultancy based in Cheshire founded by Paul Gibbons in 2001. Decipher maintains its brand identity as "a DeSimone company," reflecting DeSimone’s approach of integrating well-established firms to boost market presence. This addition supports DeSimone’s leadership ambitions within the UK construction consultancy sector while broadening their service range consistent with global objectives.

MER Engineers

DeSimone further diversified its service offerings on October 2, 2024, by acquiring MER Engineers from Dayton, Ohio—a firm specializing in precast and tilt-up design and detailing. Originally founded as Steinbicker & Associates in 1982, MER has provided services across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. This acquisition advances DeSimone’s strategic expansion within construction services while allowing MER to continue operating under its existing brand from Dayton.

KP Elevator

On April 2, 2025, DeSimone expanded its portfolio by acquiring KP Elevator Consultants, a San Francisco-based firm specializing in due diligence, conceptual design, and elevator installation for both new construction and renovation projects. This acquisition integrated KP Elevator into DeSimone’s San Francisco branch. Kelly Houlihan, the founder and a seasoned professional with 37 years in the industry, joined DeSimone as principal of the Vertical Transportation division, enhancing the company's technical capabilities and industry presence.

Notable projects

External links

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