Mario R. LaGuardia                 AIA, NCARB

Principal

Licensed: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,

Delaware, Illinois, Arizona, Puerto Rico, Nevada,

Connecticut, Florida

B. Arch, Syracuse University, 1978

 

Mario is the founder and Principal of MLG Architects. His Architectural career began in 1979 after graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelors of Architecture, having been a recipient of the Syracuse University Luther Gifford Prize for Architecture. Mario gained his first experience in hotel architecture and planning as a Project Architect at Welton Becket and Associates.

 

In 1986, he became the first Senior Associate at BBG Architects. His responsibilities over the course of his 40-year career have included the planning and design of hotels, casinos and large mixed-use complexes. In 1989, Mario became a Partner and subsequently Senior Partner who was was responsible for some of BBG’s largest projects, most notably as Project Architect for the $350 million retrofit of the 1.5 Million square foot Mohegan Sun Casino - Phase I for Sol Kerzner and Sun International, the $250 million expansion of the Award-Winning Turning Stone Resort Casino for the Oneida Indian Nation in Verona, NY and the 7 million square foot Colgate Master Plan in Jersey City, NJ.

 

In 2009, after 23 years with BBG Architects, Mario started MLG Architects, continuing to specialize in hospitality and master planning, creating award winning products, such as the repositioning of the former Helmsley Hotel to the Westin New York Grand Central for Host Hotels & Resorts and the Award-Winning Historic Restoration of the Landmarked Hotel Syracuse (Marriott Syracuse Downtown).

 

Mario’s 40 years of experience and expertise in the planning and design of hotels, casinos and large mixed-use complexes, has completed over 1.5 Billion in construction costs. Mario’s extensive knowledge across various building types lends more depth in developing individual projects and brings more value in the success of a finished product. Understanding the keys of each development and design opportunity, as well as meeting the goals of developers, owners, and operators to meet strict budgets, schedules, and standards of quality are what Mario LaGuardia and MLG Architects bring to the table.

 

Significant Awards

 

‘Excellence in Historic Preservation’

    The Preservation League of New York State, 2017

 

‘Among Forbes Magazine’s Top 10 Hotel Renovations Worldwide’

    Forbes, 2013

 

“Winner, Luxury Hotel Category,”

    First Annual Hospitality Design Award for Creative Achievement, 2005

 

“Best of 2005 Annual Award: Hospitality Award of Merit” - Turning Stone Casino Resort Tower Hotel

    New York Construction

 

‘Annual AIA Citation for Significant American Architecture’

    AIA, 1987

 

‘Syracuse University Luther Gifford Prize for Architecture’

    Syracuse University, 1978

  Licensed in New York

  M. Arch, Texas Tech University, 1994

 

Kevin is a co-founder of MLG Architects. He began his Architectural career in Texas, and prior to attending architecture school he served five years as a commissioned officer in the US Navy, having received a B.A. in Philosophy from Texas Tech in 1985.

 

Kevin moved to New York in 1997, where he first worked with Rockwell Group for two years as a Project Manager for various Planet Hollywood franchise installations, and from which he took a leave of absence to assist Walt Disney Imagineering with the fit-out of the Disney Magic cruise ship.

 

In 1999, Kevin became a Senior Associate at BBG Architects working alongside Mario LaGuardia, where he managed numerous hospitality and master planning projects, including serving as Project Director for the $250 million expansion of the Turning Stone Resort Casino for the Oneida Indian Nation in Verona, NY.

 

In 2009, Kevin co-founded MLG Architects and manages the business activities of the office and the day-to-day activities of various projects.

Kevin D. Brown                           AIA, NCARB

Principal

 

Significant Awards

 

‘Excellence in Historic Preservation’

    The Preservation League of New York State, 2017

 

‘Among Forbes Magazine’s top 10 hotel renovations worldwide’

    Forbes, 2013

 

“Winner, Luxury Hotel Category,” First Annual Hospitality Design

    Award for Creative Achievement, 2005

 

“Best of 2005 Annual Award: Hospitality Award of Merit” – Turning Stone Casino Resort Tower Hotel

    New York Construction

 

Michael W. LaGuardia

Director of Business Development

  B.A. Economics, Syracuse University, 2017

 • Real Estate Development, New York University, 2017

 

Michael joined MLG Architects in 2014 to oversee the Business Development and Marketing operations. Prior to joining MLG, Michael had received a B.A in Economics from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Subsequently, he furthered his academic endeavors in Real Estate Development at New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate.

 

Michael plays a critical role at MLG through his development and coordination of efficient business strategies, facilitation of strategic partnerships, as well as creation and implementation of marketing material to generate and sustain new business.

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