CSArch, a leading architecture and engineering design firm in New York State, announced today that it has entered into a partnership with Signal Hill Equity Partners.
The transaction, finalized October 31, marks a significant milestone in CSArch’s strategic growth and succession plans. Signal Hill is a middle-market private equity firm that specializes in investing in regulated and essential service businesses, with approximately $500 million under its management. While already well established in international markets, Signal Hill is partnering with CSArch to support the launch of a national architecture, engineering and design platform in the United States. As the first investment in Signal Hill Fund IV, CSArch is now positioned to expand geographically, add service offerings and pursue additional acquisitions for the newly established U.S. platform.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
CSArch will retain its existing name and workforce as part of the partnership. The firm’s executive leadership, including president Dan Woodside, chief executive officer Rich Peckham and vice president Tom Ritzenthaler, will continue to collectively lead the firm following the transaction.
Day-to-day operations also will remain the same at CSArch’s three office locations: Albany, where it is headquartered, Newburgh and Utica.
In addition to capital, new majority shareholder Signal Hill will provide CSArch with professional and business expertise to help execute the firm’s long-term growth objectives. CSArch opened its Utica office at 600 French Road in August 2024, and has a strategic plan for exploring additional expansion into neighboring markets and states in the Northeast, as well as industries that align with its strengths, such as advanced technologies.
The firm, which primarily serves the education sector, also expects to make additional in-house services available to clients as a direct result of Signal Hill’s investment.
“This is an exciting day for CSArch. Signal Hill has bought into our vision, our culture and our people. We’ve built something special, and, together, we’re going to take it to the next level,” said Dan Woodside, President of CSArch. “This puts our firm on even stronger footing to pursue smart, methodical growth while retaining the essence of what has made us so successful as a team.”
“It was obvious from our first conversation that CSArch would be key to our plans in the United States,” said Ahmed Abdel-Saheb, Signal Hill’s Managing Director and head of its U.S. office in Washington, D.C. “It has all the core traits we look for in private companies that can grow into truly exceptional businesses. I look forward to working alongside the CSArch team as we build on their well-earned reputation, and Signal Hill’s 30-years of collective experience, investing in the Architecture, Engineering, and Consulting sector in the U.S.”
CSArch, founded in 1991, specializes in designing and overseeing the construction of K-12, higher education, civic, corporate and advanced technology facilities. The firm has more than 70 employees across its three offices.
CSArch’s notable projects include transforming the century-old former Albany High School into the University at Albany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering; a $106.5 million capital improvement project for the City School District of New Rochelle; and Binghamton University’s 84,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art baseball stadium and field house.
Signal Hill received legal support from Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. CSArch was advised by PSMJ Resources, Inc., with legal support provided by Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP.
About CSArch
Founded in 1991, CSArch is an architecture, engineering and construction management firm with offices in Albany, Newburgh and Utica, New York. CSArch specializes in K-12, higher education, civic, corporate and advanced technology facilities, representing a diverse range of building types.
CSArch is made up of hard-working, creative and intelligent design professionals who seek to positively impact the human experience by pushing the potential of the built environment. It has been recognized as one of the Capital Region’s largest architectural firms and one of the area’s best places to work by the Albany Business Review, and has been named a top firm by Engineering News Record, Building Design and Construction Magazine, and Architectural Record. For more information, visit www.csarchpc.com.
About Signal Hill Equity Partners
Signal Hill is a middle-market private equity firm that focuses on investing in regulated and essential service businesses and has raised over $500 million of long-term capital. Signal Hill is managed by a team of professionals who have completed over 250 transactions investing, building, and growing private companies into exceptional businesses. For more information, visit www.signalhillequity.com.
