VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:  Founded in 1947, Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc. (HSMM) has been providing a full range of architectural, engineering, and planning services to clients all around the globe. The firm began as a four-person partnership in Roanoke, Virginia, and immediately committed itself to developing strong, long-lasting client relationships.  Today, HSMM is a nationally-ranked, award-winning firm with over 450 employees throughout the east coast.

HSMM provides comprehensive planning and design services in the buildings, communications, environmental, healthcare, judicial/corrections, industrial and transportation industries, and has been ranked 18th among U.S. engineering and architectural firms by Building Design & Construction magazine. 

Recently, HSMM appointed Divaris Real Estate exclusively to handle all of its real estate needs.  This includes expansions in existing markets, renewals, new office locations and consulting.  Ed Janney, director of production at HSMM, says that in the past, the firm has mostly handled its own negotiations, but decided to enlist the help of Divaris.  "We wanted someone with a solid background," Janney says.  "We've worked with Divaris before and we liked what we saw." 

DRE's president, Michael Divaris, along with Maureen Rooks, sales and leasing associate in DRE's Virginia Beach office, are working with HSMM to secure new and current locations. 

"Each market is dynamic," Rooks says.  "We're working hard to find them the best location possible, as well as the best all around economic deal in each market."  Once HSMM's needs are determined DRE prepares an analysis of each market in which it is renewing a lease, expanding, or opening a new location.  This includes competitive rental rates and current market conditions, as well as valuable location options.

While Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern has its roots in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, it is looking to expand to other parts of the country, based on a growing client roster.  Right now, all eyes are on the Southwest.  HSMM's first venture into this market will be in Austin, Texas.  Rooks recently visited the area where she toured over 20 properties with Susan Burke representing Watershed Concepts, an engineering division of HSMM.