Frank Ricks

Biography: Frank’s passion is creating spaces and places which foster community. As a founder and managing principal of LRK, Frank Ricks has led LRK’s evolution into a multi-faceted firm taking a holistic and collaborative approach to design. He relishes projects that present unique challenges and opportunities requiring creative yet cost effective solutions. LRK has been a leader in creative placemaking and landmark mixed-use projects around the country, from urban infill projects to new village centers. Frank is a member of the Urban Land Institute and served 10 years on the UDMUC Purple Council and just joined the Small-Scale Development Council (Silver Flight). His work as a founder, two-term Chair, and Advisory Board member of ULI Memphis District Council has had a significant impact on the City of Memphis and the region. Frank was also one of the founding members of the Urban Arts Commission in Memphis and the firm is currently involved with two Artspace projects. For the past 38 years, LRK has engaged community artists in the design process and integrated art into both public and private spaces. LRK’s recent work with Crosstown Arts to develop Crosstown Concourse, in collaboration with Dialog and Spatial Affairs Bureau, has resulted in international recognition, earning the Grand Prize by the Congress for the New Urbanism and finalist in Architectural Review’s New Into Old awards. The more than 1.3-million-square-foot “vertical urban village” integrates arts, education, health, and wellness. The public/private partnership between the developer, the City of Memphis, and multiple non-profit initiatives serves as a model for future redevelopment.