BL Companies Opens New Wilmington Office to Enhance Services in the Carolinas
BL Companies, an employee-owned firm specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental, and land surveying services, has announced its relocation to a new office in Wilmington, North Carolina. This exciting development marks a crucial step in the company’s strategy to better serve the Carolinas and meet growing demand in the region.
The new office, strategically placed within a mixed-use development called Middle Sound West, is located approximately eight miles east of the firm's previous Castle Street location. This larger facility is essential for BL Companies, as it plans to expand its workforce in Wilmington, aiming to increase its employee count threefold. This growth is an indication of BL's commitment to enhancing their impact in the local area and beyond.
Carolyn Stanworth, the president and CEO of BL Companies, expressed enthusiasm about the move, saying, “We’ve been doing great work in the Wilmington area and the broader North Carolina coastal region, but we were constrained by the limitations of our previous space. The new office is like night and day. Our employee owners in Wilmington deserve this upgrade, and it will certainly help entice some talented individuals to join the BL team and service our clients’ projects.”
Historically, BL’s Wilmington team has focused primarily on architecture, but the new location will enable the firm to diversify its services significantly. Daniel Wenzel, a senior project manager and principal at BL based in Wilmington, highlighted the potential for new hires in various disciplines. He mentioned that the expansion will not only support existing architectural services but will also incorporate civil and structural engineering, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services, as well as environmental services. This comprehensive service offering will allow BL to better meet client needs and contribute to local community development.
The company’s client base in Wilmington includes local entities such as the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County, as well as numerous developers. Furthermore, BL is also engaged with major national clients like Amazon, FedEx, and Costco, bringing a mix of local and extensive project experience to the area.
BL Companies prides itself on being a 100% employee-owned organization, ensuring that its employees are not only invested in the success of their projects but also in the overall growth of the company. As an acknowledgment of its efforts, BL has consistently been recognized for its workplace culture, including its selection as one of the Best Firms to Work For by Zweig Group in 2026.
With over 375 employee-owners spread across multiple states, including North Carolina, the firm emphasizes the importance of its workforce in providing quality services to its clients. This expansion in Wilmington signifies a pivotal moment for BL Companies, enabling them to not only grow their staff but also enhance the breadth of services they offer in the Carolinas.
As they settle into their new location, the team at BL Companies is eager to engage with the Wilmington community and demonstrate their capacity to handle diverse projects that contribute to the region's development. The shift to a larger office reflects BL's vision of growth, collaboration, and delivering impactful architectural and engineering solutions across the Carolinas.