CPL Acquires Illinois Design Firm Bailey Edward
The design firm is expanding its Midwest footprint by acquiring Bailey Edward and its 50 professionals.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Do you believe local business acquisitions typically improve the services provided to community clients?
Design firm CPL has acquired Chicago-based Bailey Edward to expand its operational footprint into Illinois. The acquisition integrates Bailey Edward’s three existing state offices into CPL’s broader service network.
Why it matters
The deal advances CPL’s long-term growth strategy by leveraging the established regional presence of a 35-year-old firm. For operators, this movement highlights the ongoing consolidation trend among architecture and design firms seeking to scale geographic reach through M&A.
CPL brings on 50 Bailey Edward professionals to join its 500-plus-person workforce across nine states. The acquisition of the firm, which was founded in 1991, expands CPL’s existing network of 25 offices.
The players
CPL
A design firm that operates 25 offices across nine states and maintains a partnership with private equity firm GHK Capital Partners LP.
Bailey Edward
A Chicago-headquartered design firm founded in 1991 with 50 professionals across offices in Chicago, Champaign, and Fox River Grove.
GHK Capital Partners LP
A private equity firm that partners with CPL.
The details
CPL, which partners with private equity firm GHK Capital Partners LP, is utilizing this acquisition to establish a stronger foothold in the Midwest market. To ensure operational continuity, clients of both firms will maintain their relationships with existing project teams and points of contact throughout the transition.
Timeline
1991: Bailey Edward was founded.
February 2026: CPL joined forces with GHK Capital Partners LP.
October 21, 2026: CPL announced the acquisition of Bailey Edward.
Market Landscape
This transaction follows the industry-wide pattern of consolidation where regional architecture firms are absorbed into larger national platforms to enhance market scale. It reflects a broader trend of private equity-backed design firms prioritizing geographic expansion into key Midwest hubs.
Operators in the design and construction space should watch for potential service changes or resource shifts as these teams integrate their operations. Project stakeholders should clarify if current point-of-contact arrangements will remain stable under the new ownership structure.
The takeaway
The merger signifies an intentional push by CPL to secure regional expertise in the Illinois market. Business owners should monitor how large design firms leverage private equity to consolidate regional talent and whether this changes pricing or project capacity in their specific sector.
Further reading
For more on local market shifts, see our coverage of Openings & Closings.
Live Poll
Do you believe local business acquisitions typically improve the services provided to community clients?
