From its new home in La Jolla Commons, Arup will deepen collaboration with San Diego region clients and partners across healthcare, life sciences, and infrastructure
Together with Mayor Todd Gloria, EDC celebrated the opening of UK-based global built environment consultancy Arup‘s first office in San Diego at La Jolla Commons, growing the firm’s footprint in Southern California and strengthening its ability to collaborate with clients and collaborators across the region.
With a current staff of 12 and significant plans for growth, the new location builds on Arup’s long-standing presence in San Diego. Since 1989, Arup has designed and supported projects across the region, partnering with public and private-sector organizations to shape the built environment, particularly in life sciences and healthcare innovation. Establishing a dedicated office will deepen local relationships and bring multidisciplinary expertise closer to the people and places Arup serves.
The office opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in partnership with EDC. The celebration brought together civic leaders, clients, collaborators, and community partners, and featured remarks from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Arup’s Americas Managing Director Scott Russell, Arup West + LATAM Geography Leader Alex Lofting, Arup San Diego Office Leader Ger Bythell, and EDC Chief Strategy Officer Nikia Clarke.
“I’m proud to welcome Arup’s first San Diego office,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.
“Their decision to invest and grow here speaks to what we already know about San Diego: this is a city with incredible talent, a strong economy and an environment where innovative companies can succeed. Arup’s expertise in infrastructure, life sciences and healthcare aligns with sectors that are important to our region’s continued growth. I look forward to seeing them create jobs, deepen their roots and become an even bigger part of our innovation ecosystem.”
San Diego is widely recognized as one of the country’s most forward-thinking regions for climate action, with policies advancing net-zero buildings, EV infrastructure, water reuse, and coastal resilience. The new office will enable Arup to better support local clients responding to these priorities, helping leaders plan, design, and deliver resilient, sustainable outcomes at pace.
“A successful future for San Diego, and for the broader Southern California region, relies on strong partnerships. In La Jolla, our San Diego team will continue to work with clients and collaborators to help shape resilient infrastructure, high-performing places, and climate-positive development for the decades ahead,” said Ger Bythell, Arup’s San Diego Office Leader.
Bythell brings more than 34 years of experience across advisory services, program and project management, and complex capital delivery. Throughout his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams and major initiatives spanning healthcare, science and technology, commercial property, aviation, and government infrastructure. His experience helping establish and grow Arup’s presence in emerging markets positions him well to guide the firm’s next chapter in San Diego.
“We are excited Arup has chosen to deepen its investment in San Diego,” said Eduardo Velasquez, Vice President of Economic Development and Research at EDC. “Global companies like Arup choose our region for its innovation pedigree and collaborative spirit, and we look forward to seeing the team continue to shape the future with global leaders in biotech, healthcare, and design—right here in San Diego.”
The office will support growth across sectors central to the San Diego region’s economy, including healthcare, life sciences, biotech, pharmaceuticals, technology, government, property, and the blue economy.
Arup is already engaged locally with Rady Children’s Hospital, UC San Diego including the recently completed Viterbi Family Vision Research Center, the San Diego Airport, the Port of San Diego, San Diego Association of Governments, and the City of San Diego.
Arup’s office in San Diego opens as the firm marks noteworthy milestones: 80 years delivering work globally and 40 years since establishing its first regional office in San Francisco in 1985, growing to more than 2,000 professionals across 19 locations in the United States, Canada, and Colombia.
