Heller Manus Architects
Shaping the Future of Urban Planning and Design

Blending sustainability with groundbreaking urban design, Heller Manus Architects is an architecture, master planning, and urban design firm that creates more than just buildings - it shapes city narratives.

At its core, Heller Manus Architects thrives on undertaking large-scale projects in urban and suburban landscapes. Clients approach the company when they face complex challenges in obtaining civic approvals and maintaining their budget. With its meticulous planning, dialogue, and expertise in material and component selection, the company has consistently turned challenges into stepping stones.

Heller Manus Architects’ strengths lie in designing and executing complex projects and skillfully securing permissions to construct in densely populated regions where regulations are stringent and challenging. The solutions often rely on unique urban design approaches. The company’s ability to navigate and achieve approvals for projects in demanding environments sets it apart from the competition.

Beyond its design approach, it excels at navigating challenges posed by regulations and communities, particularly in regions like the Bay Area. One notable illustration of the company’s prowess in this domain is its project in downtown Lafayette. Rather than focusing solely on construction, it engaged in numerous workshops, public interactions, and hearings, ensuring the result resonated with the community’s values.

Heller Manus Architects’ founding principal, Jeffrey Heller, best describes its philosophy. He says, “Sustainability, mobility, and livability take center stage in our triangulated approach to architecture.”

Each project undertaken resonates with the value of livability. Designing spaces that are functional and welcoming is one of its key philosophies. The ongoing downtown Sunnyvale project showcases a residential space intertwined with retail outlets and eateries. At the center of the project, a striking gateway arch serves as a welcoming feature for the downtown region and creates a visual link to the nearby Caltrain station, showcasing the project’s exceptional vision. The project, with its integrated design and central gateway, epitomizes the company’s commitment to creating spaces that enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors.

Heller Manus Architects doesn’t just envision a structure; it sees the environment, understands the climate, and perceives the social context to create designs that blend in with the surroundings. This ensures that each structure is functionally and contextually relevant and suitable for future generations.

Beyond the immediate aesthetics and functionality, its dedication to understanding the holistic environment is evident in the feedback from its clientele. Overwhelmingly positive client reviews consistently highlight the company’s standout projects, like the 181 Fremont. Jeffrey's experience at a previous firm working on high-profile projects like the Levi Plaza in Telegraph Hill, combined with Heller Manus Architect's design philosophy, enables it to create landmarks of architectural innovation.

The company debuted the first LEED Gold high-rise in both San Francisco and Shanghai and later developed the LEED Platinum-certified 181 Fremont at the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco. A standout feature of the 181 Fremont is its groundbreaking elevator evacuation system - the first of its kind in the world. Specifically, the tower uses fourteen of its seventeen elevators for evacuation, operating even during fires. This innovative design by Heller Manus Architects ensures maximum safety and optimizes the building’s footprint, granting additional leasable space.

With a growing portfolio and an unparalleled reputation, Heller Manus Architects showcases top-tier architectural expertise. Its dedication to sustainability, mobility, and livability is evident in every project, making it a pioneering force in the global architectural landscape.