Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – Able City, LLC., an architectural, planning and economic development firm focused on Border communities, celebrated the grand opening of its most recent Lower Rio Grande Valley location with a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, July 20th, 2023. Previously located in Mission, TX, Able City’s new RGV office is located at the Chase Tower in Downtown McAllen.
The firm opened its doors in the Valley in 2019 on the heels of a region-wide public design charrette which invited community members and civil leaders to participate in crafting a vision for Killam Development’s El Milagro Mixed Use Neighborhood. The development responds to many voices expressing the desire to have new mixed-use, walkable places to live, work, and play. Able City was the lead planner on the team.
The grand opening event celebrated Able City’s commitment and collective vision for a vibrant Rio Grande Valley area. As the proud recipient of the 2022 Lower Rio Grande Valley Architecture firm of the Year Award, Able City looks forward to extending its expertise, innovation, and community engagement into the heart of McAllen.
“After a decade working abroad and developing my professional career, I chose to return to the Valley and join Able City’s story here because I believe the shared value approach of its work will be an asset to the region where I grew up and the greater Rio Grande Valley. I am thrilled to be a part of this,” said Claudio Leon, lead architect of the RGV Studio.
About Able City: More than just architects, Able City is a sustainable, multidisciplinary firm focused on urbanism, architecture, economic development, and city-making. Their team members are dedicated community builders committed to the unique mission of transforming urban spaces to respond to people’s needs by creating environments that encourage growth, innovation, and prosperity. Their belief in empowering communities to discern their needs has
led them to collaborate with community members, clients, and partners to shape an ambitious and tangible urban development vision.
Able City Corporate Purpose:
The built environment has a high purpose in our lives. It can provide better social, environmental, and economic outcomes in the lives of citizens. Able City was named so because, in two words, it describes what cities should do; be able to serve the whole citizen. Able City’s corporate purpose is to advance quality of life and place in the built environment through the practice of architecture, planning, and economic development while showing citizens how to be advocates and engage in the democratic process to make policy for resilient societies. Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, Able City has additional offices in McAllen, Laredo, and ElPaso, TX.
