Lionakis history

In the 1950’s James R. Liske and Whitson W. Cox join the firm creating the partnership of Cox & Liske Associates.

After 50 years of architectural experience, Sellon extended his firm to partner Whitson W. Cox in 1954; that same year, Sellon passed away at the age of 73.

By this time they had brought both George Lionakis and Klyne Beaumont on as Associates and in 1958 they officially started the firm’s first Structural studio (they called it a department), making Beaumont a limited partner and head of the studio.

Continuing to grow as an A/E firm and leading into the 1960’s, employees Klyne G. Beaumont, Howard Engberg, and George Lionakis were added as partners, creating Liske, Lionakis, Beaumont & Engberg.

As 1967 came to a close, the firm brought on two new full partners: Klyne Beaumont and George Lionakis.

The firm also began to truly leverage and win awards with its newest service line, Interior Design, which had been added in the late 1970’s.

As the country celebrated its bicentennial and 1976 came to close, Whit Cox transitioned into retirement while maintaining a small consulting practice on the side.

As the years passed and the firm grew larger it became the corporation of Lionakis Beaumont Design Group in the late 1980’s.

As the firm continued to move forward, it suffered a loss when JR Liske passed away in 1981.

The firm would continue under the name of Liske, Lionakis, Beaumont & Engberg until 1986 when it would rebrand once again.

By the end of 2003 the firm was the largest design firm in Sacramento and had grown to a corporation with seven shareholders, multiple specialty markets and services and a great design reputation.

The time from 2004 until present has been a time of growth throughout California and into Hawaii.

2009 represented the firm’s centennial anniversary, making us the oldest architecture firm headquartered in California.