Frazier Associates, a nationally recognized architecture and planning firm, announced in a press release it closed in June 2025 after 39 years of practice. Since its inception, the firm operated out of the historic Trotter Tavern on North Augusta Street — a ca. 1802 log structure it restored in 1988 and expanded in 2003.
Frazier Associates completed approximately 3,500 projects across more than 100 Virginia communities and in over 20 states. The firm played a critical role in advancing historic preservation through its leadership in downtown revitalization, the development of design guidelines for historic districts, and the use of tax credits to rehabilitate historic structures.
“Throughout the office’s long history, we have had an amazing mix of talented individuals working with us, and without them none of our accomplishments would have been possible,” said Kathy Frazier about her years at the firm.
“It has been an honor for all of us at Frazier Associates to have been a small part of the movement to strengthen and grow the preservation ethic state-and-nationwide from the last quarter of the twentieth and first quarter of the twenty-first centuries,” said Bill Frazier.
Founded in 1986 by Kathy Frazier, FAIA, and Bill Frazier, FAICP, a historic architect and an architectural historian andplanner respectively, Frazier Associates offered services ranging from residential design to large-scale complexadaptive-use projects of historic structures. The firm served as the official architectural partner for the Virginia Main Street Program, providing façade design services to fifty communities across the state, along with streetscape plans and public space designs. The firm also became a national leader in community-wide wayfinding sign systems, with projects spanning the southeastern United States to the west coast.
In the early 2000s, Frazier Associates introduced photogrammetry services, a pioneering digital method fordocumenting historic buildings. Major projects included the U.S. Supreme Court, the Virginia State Capital, the University of Virginia’s Rotunda, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, and James Madison’s Montpelier.
Staunton and Shenandoah Valley initiatives
In Staunton and the Shenandoah Valley, the firm completed numerous projects that contributed to the preservation and revitalization of the region’s architectural character. Most recently, this included the adaptive reuse of the Staunton Innovation Hub, a coworking space recognized with a Historic Staunton Foundation Commercial Rehabilitation Award.
Other local projects include the award-winning New Street Parking Garage; the restoration and adaptive use of R. R. Smith Center for History & Art, the Old Y Lofts and the American Hotel project.
The firm also donated services to a range of community initiatives — creating historic design guidelines, a downtown streetscape plan, visitor maps and interpretative signage throughout the city. It developed a historic architecture exhibit at the Smith Center and the design of the new Field House at the Staunton High School football field. Frazier Associates also led the creation of a downtown service district that provides funding for the Staunton Downtown Development Association, and the principals initiated a campaign to halt the demolition of nine downtown historic properties for a new courthouse building.
Dedicated volunteers to the Staunton community and beyond
Other volunteer activities of the Frazier’s included both principals being Presidents of Historic Staunton Foundation as well as receiving lifetime achievement awards from that organization. Bill Frazier also served on the Staunton Planning Commission, on various City of Staunton committees studying the future of downtown, and on the boards of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, the Staunton Augusta Art Center, the Downtown Staunton Development Association and the Staunton Creative Community Fund.
He also founded the Staunton Augusta Farmers Market, was chair of the Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge Committeeto save that historic structure and was co-chair of the Gypsy Hill Park Gateway Enhancement Committee. He also was on the boards of Preservation Action in Washington D.C. and the Virginia Downtown Development Association and was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine to the Preservation Advisory Committee for Fort Monroe.
Kathy Frazier’ volunteer activities included being on the Design Committee of the Staunton Downtown Development Association and on the boards of the historic Thornrose Cemetery, The Augusta Garden Club, and Hunter McGuire School. She was also a member of the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church and an advisory board member of Mary Baldwin University. At the state level, she was on the board of the Virginia Downtown Development Association, the Preservation Alliance of Virginia and the Restoration Committee of the Garden Club of Virginia.
Archives to be preserved by Virginia Department of Historic Resource
Though Frazier Associates has formally closed, a significant portion of the firm’s archive will be preserved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in Richmond, where it will remain accessible to the public, researchers and preservation professionals. The firm’s influence continues in preserved buildings, revitalized main streets and the enduring design values it brought to Virginia and communities across the country.
Frazier Associates’ awards and recognition
Over the years, Frazier Associates received more than 100 design and preservation awards, including the 2017 T. David Fitz-Gibbon Architecture Firm Award, the American Institute of Architects highest honor in Virginia. Other notable awards include a National Palladio Award, Outstanding Contributions for Historic Preservation ThroughoutVirginia by the Garden Club of America, the Mary Mason Williams Award for Contributions to Historic Preservation in Virginia by APVA Preservation Virginia, and a Presidential Citation for Achievements in Downtown Staunton by the Preservation Alliance of Virginia and a letter of appreciation from the City Council of Staunton. Its work was widely featured in publications such as Traditional Building, Southern Living, Virginia Living, Urban Land, Architectural Record and Preservation Magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Monique Calello is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas always welcome. Connect with her at mcalello@newsleader.com. Support local journalism and subscribe to us at newsleader.com.