Company History

1980 – 1990

In 1982, the firm hired a young drafter, Jeff Chen , who had just finished a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a further three-and-a-half years studying architecture at Cooper Union University. Jeff Chen would go on to become President of the company in later years.

In 1985, Alfred Goldberg, PE, employee of Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. published the Design Guide to the 1985 Uniform Building Code.

During this decade, the firm worked on some significant litigation and forensic projects like the Bank of America Data Centers, 595 Market Street in San Francisco, and 50 Fremont in San Francisco.

In 1986, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. provided design and construction administration of the roofing restoration project at the historic and iconic Palace of Fine Arts.

In 1988, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. provided waterproofing design for the below grade waterproofing and green roof at the beautiful Opus One winery. This project included many unique issues. The presence of underground hot springs required special below-grade waterproofing and insulation systems.

In 1989, the firm moved to 10 Nottingham in San Francisco. Jeff Chen remembers sitting at a drafting stool during the Loma Prieta Earthquake.

1990 – 2000

During this decade, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. worked on several iconic structures.

In 1990, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. provided remedial design of the large plaza at the landmark Oakland Museum.

In 1995, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. began the investigation and remediation projects at all the buildings at Hills Plaza named for the famous Hills Bros Coffee building constructed in the mid-1920s.

In 1996, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. took over the remedial design of the McKesson Building curtain wall in San Francisco. Hazardous materials within the existing curtain wall were sealed by the use of a specially designed silicone extrusion tape profile.

In 1999, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. designed a three dimensional silicone “boot” to solve the complex remedial design problems in the curtain walls at 333 Market. An article on this design was published in the ASTM Science & Technology of Building Seals, Sealants, Glazing, and Waterproofing (7th Volume). In that same year, Rosenberg McGinnis AIA, Inc. worked on a remedial design project at the iconic John Hancock tower in Chicago and the historic Painted Desert Inn at the Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona.

In 2000, the firm changed its name to McGinnis Chen.

2000 – 2010

This decade saw MCA providing more and more consulting for new construction.

MCA provided peer review building enclosure consulting on the UCSF Mission Bay Block 20, a four-building complex with a central courtyard, the new high-end Orchard Garden Hotel, the One Rincon Hill , the tallest all-residential tower in California, and Moffett Place, a five 8 story office buildings and 3 parking structures on a 1.8 million square foot office park development site.

MCA also performed several historic rehabilitation or renovation projects during this decade. MCA investigated and provided remedial design services for the Bateson State Office Building, designed by Sim Van Der Ryn during his tenure as California State Architect. MCA provided remedial architecture services for the renovation of Ghirardelli Square, one of San Francisco’s most treasured landmarks. MCA also worked on the historic Placer County Courthouse and the Sather Tower (The Campanile) at the University of California at Berkeley. MCA also performed remedial architecture services at the iconic Earl Warren State Building located at 350 McAllister Street in San Francisco.

In 2002, MCA began working on the Hallidie Buildings historical renovation project which would garner several awards to MCA and the design team.

In 2005 the firm incorporated and officially became McGinnis Chen Associates, Inc.

In 2007, MCA opened the Central Valley California office located in the state capital Sacramento.

Ron McGinnis retired in 2009.