FRCH Design Worldwide
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture, Interior design, Graphic design, Brand strategy |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | James T. Fitzgerald |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio , United States |
Area served | United States, Brazil, Mexico |
Key people | Joseph Cicio (Vice-chairman and Chief Creative Officer) |
| Products | Architecture, Interior design, Graphic design, Brand strategy |
FRCH Design Worldwide was a U.S.-based architectural and design company with its main office in Cincinnati, Ohio, and additional branches located in Los Angeles and New York City. Established in 1968, the firm offered expertise in architecture, interior design, graphic design, and brand strategy, primarily serving clients in retail, hospitality, dining, and corporate office environments.
In January 2018, FRCH combined operations with NELSON Worldwide and adopted the new name "FRCH Nelson."
History
The company was launched in 1968 by James T. Fitzgerald FAIA under the name James T. Fitzgerald/Interior Architecture (F/IA), initially concentrating on interior design projects for large-scale corporate facilities. Following the acquisition of a local rival in 1972, it was renamed Space Design/Interior Architecture (SDI). Its first project abroad involved designing a Hilton hotel located in La Paz, Bolivia in 1978.
A merger in 1990 with New York’s Hambrecht Terrell International resulted in the formation of HTI/SDI, expanding its presence to offices in both New York and Cincinnati. This partnership broadened its portfolio to include retail design for prominent clients such as Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Marshall Field's, Neiman Marcus, and Selfridges.
Retail industry veteran Joseph Cicio joined as vice-chairman and chief creative officer by 1995. Subsequently, the firm rebranded as FRCH Design Worldwide to represent its principal partners Fitzgerald, Kevin Roche, Cicio, and Ed Hambrecht. After restructuring, FRCH extended its international footprint into Brazil and Mexico. A significant collaboration took place in 2011 with Mexican architect Michel Rojkind on the interior design of Liverpool Interlomas near Mexico City.
To enhance its West Coast operations, FRCH inaugurated a Los Angeles office in 2015. The company crafted the design concept and branding strategy for Hilton’s Home2 Suites extended-stay hotels in 2016 and developed the prototype design and branding for Hilton’s Tru by Hilton brand in 2017, aimed at younger travelers seeking affordable accommodations.
FRCH cultivated an extensive client base including American Girl, Darden Restaurants, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt, Kroger, Liverpool, Subway, T-Mobile, and Tiffany & Co. The firm earned recognition from Interior Design Magazine as a leading hospitality architecture studio in 2017 and was honored as Design Firm of the Year by design:retail magazine in 2018.
The strategic alliance with Philadelphia-based NELSON Worldwide in 2018 broadened FRCH’s market sectors, leadership capabilities, and international reach under the combined FRCH Nelson identity.
Selected projects
- Home2 Suites by Hilton: Development of interior/exterior concepts along with graphic design.
- Tru by Hilton: Creation of concept, branding, interior environments, and graphic elements.
- Liverpool Interlomas: Interior architectural design.
- Great American Tower at Queen City Square: Lobby interiors on ground level.
- Fifth Third Bank: Renovation of corporate headquarters located at Fountain Square.
- Southern elevation of the Kenwood Towne Center shopping complex in Cincinnati.