KTGY, an award-winning national design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments, and urban design, recently announced Will Bate as the firm’s new CEO. Bate joins KTGY from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), bringing extensive experience in strategy, operations, digital transformation and mergers and acquisitions, along with a proven track record of driving growth across the real estate and professional services sectors.
As KTGY continues to expand its national footprint, the firm’s Denver office is expected to play a significant role in its future growth strategy. Mile High CRE spoke with Bate about his vision for the firm, the evolving Denver market and how KTGY’s collaborative, people-first culture is shaping its next chapter.
1. You recently stepped into the CEO role at KTGY. What drew you to the firm, and what excites you most about its future?
What ultimately drew me to KTGY was its 30-year legacy and great reputation along with a talented team and culture that genuinely cares about people and design. What excites me most is the firm’s strong foundation, and the opportunity to deepen client relationships, evolve how we work, and invest in new capabilities as we shape the next phase of growth.
Our Denver studios will play a key role in building a more integrated, forward-looking firm. Both our high-density and for-sale studios have established a strong foothold in the Rocky Mountain region through impactful developments like Aracelli DTC, Iota Fox Station, The Hattie McDaniel and Blackwood Groves. These developments position us well to further elevate our presence and regional impact in the coming years.
2. How will you use your background in strategy, operations, and digital transformation to catapult KTGY toward growth?
The firm has a strong foundation and the recent elevations and additions at the leadership level reflect a growth mindset that I am eager to build on with the tools I have acquired throughout my career.
While at Boston Consulting Group building their real estate practice, I understood that large-scale growth required a listening-first approach, and I am bringing that same thinking to my role as CEO. I look forward to leveraging what I learn to support our seven studios, including Denver, as we focus on deepening our relationships with clients, evolving our processes and enhancing the tools needed to grow, while maintaining the high level of design quality the firm is known for.
In my role as the lead Recruiting Partner for BCG’s Washington, D.C., office, I grew to understand the importance of staying closely connected with team members at all career stages across the organization—a skill that resonates deeply with the culture at KTGY and one that I believe will prove valuable for both our clients and our team members.
3. Denver is a competitive and fast-growing real estate market. How is the KTGY Denver office positioned to meet the growing and evolving demand?
The expertise in our Denver office is vast. We have leaders focused on luxury single-family communities, high-rise apartment buildings and affordable communities, and they are embracing innovative approaches to design like micro-apartments, steel structural systems and modular construction that make projects more viable for developers and meet residents where they are.
Our Denver studios have also incorporated interior design into projects because the user experience doesn’t stop at the building envelope. Designing for both architecture and interiors allows us to deliver a more cohesive and complete product.
Our Denver office is well-positioned for continued success because of its local expertise, integration with interior design, community-driven approach and versatility that allows the teams to respond to the city’s evolving needs.
4. KTGY’s Denver studio has worked on notable projects like Aracelli DTC and Iota Fox Station. How do these projects reflect the studio’s approach?
These developments are great examples of how the Denver office has used its understanding of the local market to create thoughtfully designed communities that are both functional and well-integrated into their neighborhoods.
The relationships they have built with development partners reflect KTGY’s firmwide approach to design, which is rooted in leveraging creative ideas and new approaches to realize new possibilities for people.
Both developments demonstrate the high-density studio’s expertise in adapting to complex sites, utilizing innovative design and construction methods, and fostering community through transit-oriented, modern living environments that promote active mobility.
5. KTGY takes a “people-first” approach to leadership. How does that translate to a multi-studio firm, and specifically to the Denver team?
Being “people-first” means listening to our teams, our clients and the communities we serve to build strong relationships both internally and externally.
The firm has done an incredible job empowering each studio, including Denver, to collaborate between offices and areas of expertise, and I look forward to building on that foundation.
Denver’s high-density team and our Chicago-based interior design team are currently collaborating on 3rd Street Assemblage with Southern Land Company. It is a wonderful example of the value KTGY can provide to clients as a firm that offers integrated services.
6. Looking ahead, what role do you see the Denver studio playing in KTGY’s broader growth strategy?
Denver, along with all our studios, will play an important role in KTGY’s continued national growth by building momentum, activating targeted growth initiatives, deepening client relationships and further integrating the firm’s capabilities together.
Both Denver studios have the talent and client relationships to flourish. The recent additions of Bill Ramsey and Nathan Sciarra to KTGY’s Board, along with Craig Lawrence joining the for-sale studio, bring significant strength to the Denver office. Each leader contributes energy, diverse perspectives and a strong commitment to growth.
