History

Group Mackenzie was founded on Thomas R. Mackenzie's ability to see projects from the customer’s viewpoint, simplify the development process, and offer a creative solution to project problems. This continues to define the firm’s project approach and collaborative design philosophy today. From 1960, Group Mackenzie has evolved into one of the largest, well-known, multidisciplinary firms in the Northwest, with offices in Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Vancouver, Washington. Read about our company history and continued growth here.

In the 1960s, Tom Mackenzie, a plans examiner for the City of Portland, encouraged by the contractors he had helped, started an engineering practice. The early work of the firm was predominately industrial and institutional. The firm’s portfolio gradually became more diversified and the firm became known as Mackenzie Engineering Incorporated.
In the 1970s, Architect Rick Saito joined the firm and broadened the range of projects and services, introducing architecture, interior design, land use planning, and transportation planning. The firm’s name changed to Mackenzie Saito Associates and Mackenzie Engineering Incorporated, also known as MSA/MEI.
In 1996, the firm's name changed to Group Mackenzie to incorporate its full range of interdependent disciplines while continuing to honor the legacy of company founder Tom Mackenzie.
In 2004, Group Mackenzie opened two Washington branch offices, in Vancouver and downtown Seattle.
In 2006, Group Mackenzie added landscape architecture to its multidisciplinary practice, making it the seventh discipline within the firm. Today, the firm’s portfolio includes commercial office, retail, interior design, industrial, technology, land development, public buildings, and infrastructure projects.
In 2007, Group Mackenzie relocated its corporate headquarters to a renovated warehouse, RiverEast Center, located within the Central Eastside Industrial District in Portland, Oregon.