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The decision by MulvannyG2 Architecture to close its Portland office at the end of June stems from a repositioning effort to serve large corporate clients, according to CEO Mitch Smith.

The global firm believed it was best to centralize staff at its headquarters, currently in Bellevue, Wash., to serve clients like Costco Wholesale, he said.

“Our presence in Portland wasn’t as important as providing the right resources to those type of clients,” he said. “It just made sense to consolidate our operations in our corporate office.”

Although MulvannyG2 will vacate its Portland office space at 601 S.W. Second Ave., about a half dozen employees will remain in the area and work from home, Smith said. The others – about 20 or so – have either transferred to one of the firm’s other offices or found jobs elsewhere.

Moda Health plans to take over MulvannyG2’s office space after it moves out, Smith said.

After operating an office in Portland for nearly 20 years, the firm made a decision that boiled down to business sense.

“This was a good business move, even though it has some unfortunate consequences,” Smith said.

MulvannyG2 is preparing to relocate its headquarters to downtown Seattle next year. The firm’s other offices are in Irvine, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; and Shanghai.