HKS expansion.

HKS Architects Inc.'s Los Angeles practice, which is about to celebrate its 20-year anniversary here, has expanded into a 10,000-square-foot space at its existing Beverly Hills offices.

The additional space will allow the 50-person office to gradually add 90 people to handle new commissions. The office has been responsible for completing more than 100 projects totaling $2 billion in construction since 1987. Two additional offices were opened in Orange County and San Francisco in the past three years.

The seven-year lease deal at 9441 W. Olympic Blvd. is valued at about $5 million.

"Now that we're in a position to grow, we plan to move into other markets beyond residential mix-use," said Jack Price, who for 14 years has run West Coast operations for the Dallas-based firm, which ranks among the nation's top-five architectural and engineering firms according to Building Design & Construction magazine.

Nationwide, the company is known for its healthcare facility and interior design practices, but the local office has not gone after as much of that business as Price would like. "There's a lot of depth in the market, and we see tremendous potential here," he said.

HKS's Beverly Hills branch is the company's second largest office and has more than $700 million worth of projects underway, including the W Hotel Hollywood and Residences at Hollywood and Vine, and the Press Telegram Lofts, a conversion of the Long Beach newspaper's historic former plant.

In addition, the company's sports and entertainment group was selected to assist in the renovation of 43-year-old Dodger Stadium. The phased multi-year renovation began following the 2005 season.

Brian Davies of CRESA Partners LLC represented HKS on the lease deal.