Post merger, 1969–present
In August 1968, John B. Parkin Associates opened merger discussions with Smith Carter Searle of Winnipeg, which had offices also in Toronto, Brandon, and Thunder Bay. [3] The merger was completed in March 1969. On 4 March, John B. Parkin, John C. Parkin, Ernest J. Smith, and James Searle held a press conference on the top floor of the Toronto-Dominion Centre to announce the merger. Later that day they flew to Winnipeg, where they held a second press conference. [4] The Toronto office would work under the name of Parkin Architects, Engineers, Planners, while the Winnipeg office would operate under the name of Smith Carter Parkin. Shortly after the move, John B. Parkin moved to Los Angeles, where he operated a practice under the name of John B. Parkin Associates.
In January 1971, John C. Parkin left the partnership. At this time, the name of Parkin Architects, Engineers, Planners was changed to Searle Wilbee Rowland. [5] Searle Wilbee Rowland continued to work under that name, until 15 November 1974, when it became Neish Owen Rowland & Roy. [6] The firm, known since 1985 as NORR, remains in existence today, with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton.
John C. Parkin's independent practice, 1971–present
In January 1971, John C. Parkin sold his share in the partnership and left to form his own practice, John C. Parkin Architects Planners. Later, his practice was renamed Parkin Architects Planners, and then Parkin Partnership Architects Planners. It received several important commissions in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Art Gallery of Ontario addition, the Phoenix Building, Bell Trinity Square, and Copps Coliseum. In 1986, Harland C. Lindsay and two partners acquired the assets of the firm, and on 17 December that year incorporated Parkin Architects Limited. This firm remains in operation today, with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver.
